Belgium – The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) have announced a plan to secure sustainable energy for all, which will aid in the global fight against climate change.
At its heart is a desire to significantly expand the share of offshore wind energy in the global energy mix by 2030. The Compact lays out a clear path for countries to take in order to make the major reforms needed to realize this vision and reach their respective NDC targets.
The Compact of IRENA and GWEC will assist ensure that no country or territory is “left behind” by the sector, and that untapped resource potential is harnessed to help the world meet its 2050 goals. The Compact establishes a target of 380 GW of offshore wind energy installed globally by 2030, with a target of 2,000 GW installed globally by 2050. GWEC Market Intelligence estimates 35 GW of offshore wind installed capacity globally by 2020.
IRENA and GWEC have stated their intentions to contribute to the achievement of these goals. The organizations will strengthen governments’ understanding of offshore wind, as reflected in country NDCs, through IRENA’s Collaborative Framework on Ocean Energy/Offshore Renewables, and by increasing participation in the Framework, more countries will be able to increase their interests in offshore wind. According to the Compact, “given the project planning and construction timetables for offshore wind, these actions are urgently needed.”
The Compact will also require IRENA and GWEC to identify institutional and resource shortages in order to assist the globe in meeting the 2030 and 2050 commitments. These aspirations, when combined with increased outreach and interaction with policymakers in nations new to offshore wind, should assist boost the sector’s geographical spread and help ensure the world’s 2050 target is realized.
