The EU is mulling setting a 60GW target for installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, media reports suggest.
According to Reuters a draft European Commission strategy for offshore renewable energy has proposed the 2030 target as well as a 300GW 2050 goal.
60GW of wave and tidal energy is also being targetted by mid-century.
The figures have not been confirmed by the European Commission, but Reuters reported that the document suggested €789bn of investment would be needed to meet the targets, with an overhaul of country-level policies required for the “massive change of scale”.
Power purchase agreements or guarantees could support this as could funding from the EU’s €750bn Covid economic recovery fund, the report said.
Clarification of EU rules to enable “offshore bidding zones” which would apply a single power price to an offshore area although it could be connected to multiple power grids is also expected.
The European Commission told reNEWS it did not comment on leaked documents but that the strategy was expected to be published on 18 November.