Just over 6GW of offshore wind was installed globally in 2020, with China leading the way as the busiest market, according to the Global Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) third edition Global Offshore Wind Report.
The global offshore wind industry installed 6.1GW of capacity in 2020, down slightly from a record 6.24GW in 2019.
China led the world in new installations for the third year in a row with more than 3GW of offshore wind grid connected in 2020.
Steady growth in Europe accounted for the majority of remaining new capacity, led by the Netherlands, which installed nearly 1.5GW of new offshore wind in 2020, followed by Belgium with 706MW.
GWEC expects a new record year in 2021, as China’s offshore wind sector rushes to install 7.5GW ahead of the expiry of current feed in tariffs (FiTs).
Governments will need to “act decisively to improve policy” in order to scale up installations at the pace required to help the world meet its carbon emissions targets and avoid the worst effects of global heating, GWEC said.
Around 235GW of new offshore wind capacity will be installed over the next decade under current policies.
That capacity is seven times bigger than the current market size and is a 15% increase on the previous year’s forecasts, GWEC said.
While some countries across the world have already put in place comprehensive offshore wind targets and strategies, the report finds that all together these targets across the world only account for 560GW.
Sian Lloyd-Rees, managing director of Aker Offshore Wind UK, said: “It is encouraging that 2021 is on course to be a new record year in this important industry, and we’re proud to be playing our part in South Korea, the US, Japan, Norway and Sweden.
“We also have huge ambitions for the UK, where offshore wind is vital if we are to reach zero emissions by 2050.
“In particular, the development of floating offshore wind farms in deep water is among the most exciting energy revolutions in the world.
“Our vision is to make deepwater offshore wind a commercial, low-cost, low carbon reality that creates a sustainable future for all.”