Installations of offshore wind turbines has increased significantly so far this year but industry group EWEA says that the growth rate could start to fall unless regulatory issues in key markets are solved.
EWEA’s mid-year statistics indicate that in the first half of 2013, 277 new offshore wind turbines totalling 1045 MW of installed capacity were fully grid connected in Europe. This is double the amount that was connected in the first half of 2012.
In addition, 268 foundations were installed and 254 turbines erected during the first 181 days of the year.
However, financing for new projects has slowed and this trend reflects the "significant challenges" faced by the offshore wind sector, says EWEA.
"Financing of new projects has slowed down with only one project reaching financial close so far this year," said Justin Wilkes, Director of Policy at EWEA. "This, together with a lack of orders being placed for offshore wind turbines, substructures and components, reflects the regulatory uncertainty in key offshore markets including Germany and the UK.
"The installation rate shows what the European offshore wind industry is now capable of. But to attract investment to the sector governments need to provide a stable regulatory framework and the EU should set a binding renewable target for 2030," added Wilkes.
EWEA’s mid-year report says that the only transaction to have reached financial close to date this year is the 288 MW Butendiek project in Germany. It was the first transaction to take place in Germany since the issue of grid delays appeared in 2011 and closed a few weeks after the new grid law came into force.
Total offshore capacity in Europe is now at 6040 MW in 58 wind farms across ten countries – up from 4336 MW in June 2012.
Twenty-one offshore wind farms are under construction or in preparation, with a total capacity of 5694 MW.
