Renewable energies - Survey: Sentiment in the wind energy sector has risen
The mood in the wind energy sector has significantly improved, according to a survey, in Germany and the European Union. Positive changes in the perception of market development and framework conditions could be identified in both the Onshore and Offshore sectors - that is, wind energy on land and at sea, respectively - according to the 13th Trend Index of WindEnergy Hamburg, the world-leading wind energy trade fair. However, North America, Asia, and the rest of the world evaluated the global market slightly worse.
The average expected performance of newly installed Offshore turbines for the year 2030 has significantly increased from 18 to 19 Megawatts, according to the survey. Prototypes with approximately 22 Megawatts were presented at the end of 2023. This puts pressure on the market and has led 20% of the respondents to decide on a capacity of 22 to 25 Megawatts. In contrast, for the Onshore sector, a slightly lower expected performance of newly installed turbines for the year 2030 is anticipated – approximately 8.3 Megawatts on average.
Despite the regulatory hurdles, permits, and grid expansion being significant challenges for both On- and Offshore wind energy, the values in the Onshore sector are significantly higher. However, it is striking that the hurdles in the Offshore sector are perceived as much lower.
The WindEnergy Trend Index, which is reportedly conducted half-yearly since 2018, gathered the opinions of over 800 experts and industry professionals on the developments in the global On- and Offshore wind industry during this survey conducted from mid-March to mid-May. This means that since 2018, over 12,000 online questionnaires have been completed by experts in the wind energy sector.
- The improvement in the wind energy sector's outlook extends beyond Europe, with Germany leading the way, as shown in a recent survey.
- In comparison to Germany and the EU, North America, Asia, and other regions view the global wind energy market with slightly more skepticism, according to the survey results.
- The wind energy sector in Hamburg, Germany, is particularly optimistic, with Offshore wind energy projects showing a significant increase in expected performance for 2030, up from 18 to 19 Megawatts, according to the survey.
- The survey also indicates that the Onshore wind energy sector in Asia faces fewer regulatory hurdles and challenges than its Offshore counterpart, a surprising finding given the complexities often associated with maritime projects.
- The WindEnergy Trend Index, which has gathered input from over 12,000 experts worldwide since 2018, reveals that the perception of the wind energy sector in North America and Asia differs from Europe, although both regions are making strides in renewable energies like wind energy and electricity production.
- In light of the encouraging survey results and the potential for Offshore wind energy development in North America and Asia, investors in the renewable energies sector might consider expanding their investments to these regions, contributing to a global shift towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
