Technology report
Offshore Wind Outlook 2019
World Energy Outlook special report
Wind
Onshore wind is a proven, mature technology with an extensive global supply chain and offshore wind is also expected to grow rapidly.
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Onshore technology has evolved over the last five years to maximise electricity produced per megawatt capacity installed to unlock more sites with lower wind speeds. Wind turbines have become bigger with taller hub heights, and larger rotor diameters.
Offshore wind is also expected to grow rapidly. Deploying turbines in the sea takes advantage of better wind resources than at land-based sites. Therefore, new offshore turbines are able to achieve significantly more full-load hours depending on resource availability.
Offshore wind is also expected to grow rapidly. Deploying turbines in the sea takes advantage of better wind resources than at land-based sites. Therefore, new offshore turbines are able to achieve significantly more full-load hours depending on resource availability.
Last updated Sep 16, 2020
Key findings
Wind capacity additions, 2019-2021, October 2019 forecast vs. May 2020 forecast
OpenThe COVID-19 crisis will strongly slow down global wind capacity additions in 2020
Global onshore wind capacity additions jumped by 20% in 2019 compared to 2018, thanks to increasing expansion in China and the European Union. 2020 was expected to be another year of acceleration in deployment. However, the unprecedented global crisis caused by Covid-19 has pushed the onshore wind growth forecast for 2020 down by 12% compared to 2019 additions. This decline is mainly driven by project delays rather than cancellations, thus leading to a recovery in 2021. Despite a rebound in 2021, combined expected onshore wind growth in 2020 and 2021 is still lower than in our October 2019 forecast by 9%.
Offshore wind power generation in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2030
OpenCost reductions, technology improvements and rapid deployment achieved in Europe need to be extended to other regions
Compared with record 32% growth in 2017, offshore wind electricity generation increased only 20% in 2018. Given its relatively small base, offshore wind growth must accelerate even further to reach the generation levels demonstrated in the SDS. The cost reductions, technology improvements and rapid deployment achieved in Europe need to be extended to other regions.
Onshore wind power generation in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2030
OpenMore efforts are needed in onshore wind power
In 2019, onshore wind electricity generation increased by an estimated 12%. Capacity additions began to grow again by 22% after stagnating during 2016-18. However, more efforts are needed: annual onshore wind capacity additions need to increase much more quickly through 2030 to get on track with the SDS.
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The Wind TCP’s mission is to stimulate co-operation on wind energy research, development, and deployment (RD&D). The Wind TCP provides high quality information and analysis to member governments and commercial sector leaders by addressing technology development, deployment and its benefits, markets, and policy options.
