Offshore wind is a rapidly maturing renewable energy technology with great potential to advance the global transition to green energy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has identified the magnitude of future capacity, citing a potential to generate more than 420 000 Terawatt-hour (TWh) per year worldwide—more than 18 times global electricity demand today.¹ 

According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), 2021 was the second best year for the global wind industry and best year ever for the global offshore wind industry (amid the COVID-19 pandemic) — in terms of new capacity connected to the grid—but new wind installations must quadruple by the end of the decade for the world to meet net zero by 2050.²

The following article brings together insights from some of WSP’s advisors and technical specialists around the world—to shed light on the issues and complex considerations influencing the advancement of the offshore wind industry and to help shape decision-making that enables accelerated progress.

^{2 Global Wind Energy Council: highlights from Global Offshore Wind Report 2022 and Global Wind Report 2022.}