Offshore proof

Offshore wind generation is fast growing and has great potential to meet energy needs in the future in a sustainable way. But many challenges – technical, financial and logistical – need to be overcome if this new energy source is to come of age and take its place as an enduring and significant part of the generation mix. The coming few years will be ‘make or break’ time in deciding whether offshore windpower will be able to get on track to prove its place as a source of large-scale generation. Ultimately, it needs to show it can reach efficiencies and cost levels near enough to onshore installations to make it competitive in the energy mix.

PwC's 'Offshore Proof' survey canvassed the views of the major players who are central to determining the pace of growth of the industry in Europe and Asia - developers, contractors/original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), utility companies, governments and financial institutions. In total, 57 telephone interviews were carried out with executives in 12 countries by Global Business Intelligence Research (GBI), PwC's partner on this study. These included government bodies in six European and two Asian countries with significant offshore wind energy programmes.

Furthermore, we have compiled a global overview of offshore windfarms in operation, under construction and planned.