Orsted and Equinor have joined forces to lead a new group to advance the deployment of offshore renewable energy to mitigate climate change.
The international Ocean Renewable Action Coalition will champion offshore wind, floating solar, tidal and wave power.
The technologies offer the chance to meet nearly 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed by 2050 to keep global temperatures under 1.5ºC, according to figures.
Most of the mitigation is expected to come from offshore wind.
The group also includes CWind, Global Marine Group, JERA, MHI Vestas, Mainstream Renewable Power, Shell, Siemens Gamesa, TenneT and The Crown Estate.
It was formed in response to the September 2019 call for ocean-based climate action made by the high-level panel for a sustainable ocean economy.
The action coalition will prepare a vision for 2050, highlighting the actions that industry, financiers and governments can take to sustainably scale-up offshore wind.
“If we’re serious about fighting the climate crisis, it’s vital we decarbonise the world’s energy use as quickly as possible through technologies like offshore wind,” said Orsted vice president Benj Sykes.
“The Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition will work together to accelerate the opportunity presented by ocean renewables to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.”
Equinor wind senior vice president Stephen Bull added: “Collaboration between nations and companies is needed to accelerate the sustainable deployment of ocean renewable energy.
“This Action Coalition includes leading industry players in offshore wind and we are working together to unleash the full potential of offshore wind globally.”