Offshore wind could meet 45% of the 2050 energy needs in Sweden
December 8 (Renewables Now) – Sweden’s electricity needs are expected to jump from 140 TWh now to 370 TWh by 2050 and, with the right conditions in place, 45% of this can be met by offshore wind, according to a report published on Tuesday.
According to Thema Consulting’s study, the increased demand will primarily be driven by green hydrogen production. In 2050, green hydrogen may need 130 TWh or almost as much electricity as the whole of Sweden uses today.
In this context, offshore wind power could supply 167 TWh of electricity by 2050, with the potential for a solid increase as early as 2030, but there is much to be done to unleash its full potential.
At present, there are applications to Swedish authorities for offshore wind power projects that can deliver an output of more than 500 TWh.
The report was commissioned by Swedish Wind Energy, the country’s industrial body for wind energy, and five of its 130 member companies – OX2, RWE Renewables, Svea Vind Offshore, Wpd Offshore and Ørsted. The association and its partner companies call on the Swedish government and legislators to implement reforms in four major areas:
– Strengthening of the electricity grid at sea;
– prepare a concrete action plan for expanding offshore wind power;
– Simplify and shorten the permit process for offshore wind power supply; and
– To provide incentives, including financial resources to municipalities, to encourage fossil-free electricity production.
“Offshore wind power can contribute on a large scale to industrial change. But then thorough reforms are required for investments to pick up speed. Otherwise, there is a risk that the industry’s important transformation will be jeopardized,” the report’s signatories say.