Meeting the European Union's target to increase offshore wind energy capacity by 500% by 2030 will require additional investment, a German industry group said Tuesday.
The Federal Association Wind Energy Offshore (BWO) said the production of wind turbines will need to reach almost double the current figure of 700 units per year if the EU is to successfully increase capacity from 34 gigawatts to 150.
Larger infrastructure projects will also need to be undertaken, including constructing harbours to carry components to offshore sites.
According to the BWO, 50 offshore harbours are currently active in Europe. In the medium term, around 75 to 100 locations will be required to handle the transportation and storage of around 1,200 turbines.
Germany's federal states currently receive €38 million per year in funding from the national government for the expansion of harbours, said BWO Managing Director Stefan Thimm. This figure should be expanded to €400 million, he added, as the sector is "counting on a long-term investment period."
The tendering process for offshore projects must also be reformed, the association argued. Qualitative criteria, including safety standards and environmental assessments, should be taken into account alongside price.
Politicians must "set the right course for sustainable value creation," Thimm said.
The offshore wind industry is set to meet in Berlin this Tuesday and Wednesday for the Future Offshore conference.