The global expansion of wind energy has made significant strides as countries align their renewable energy strategies to combat climate change. Key players like Boralex Inc., Ørsted, and Hitachi Energy are at the forefront, driving initiatives across various regions, especially the UK, EU, and growing markets like Asia-Pacific.
Recently, Boralex announced the establishment of a joint venture to develop the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Extension and adjacent Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Dufftown, Scotland. This ambitious project is expected to add 195 Megawatts (MW) of capacity to the region, reinforcing Boralex’s commitment to renewable energy. “We are delighted to have become co-owners of this exciting project,” commented Esbjorn Wilmar, Boralex’s Country Director for the UK, highlighting the company’s extensive expertise from previous developments.
The Clashindarroch initiative aligns with broader UK government objectives aimed at doubling onshore wind capacity by 2030, as detailed in their recent Clean Power Action Plan. This landmark framework seeks to inject about £40 billion annually from the private sector to invest in infrastructure and renewable energy. The demand is clear; the UK aims to escalate its onshore wind capacity from the current 14 Gigawatts (GW) to 27 GW within the next decade.
Hitachi Energy is also playing its part by providing advanced power electronics technology for Ørsted’s Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm, located 69 kilometers off the Yorkshire coast. This technology will facilitate the integration of 2.4 GW of electricity generated from the wind farm and is the first of its kind to be implemented within the offshore wind sector across Europe. “This is the first time the technology will be used in the offshore wind industry in Europe,” Hitachi stated, emphasizing the importance of this achievement for enhancing grid stability.
While Europe sees commendable growth and commitment to onshore projects, offshore wind initiatives have faced more complex challenges. Inflation and supply chain issues have emerged as significant barriers, particularly affecting auctions and project timelines. Despite these hurdles, some nations, including Germany and the Netherlands, have successfully awarded tenders, with Germany proposing 115 GW of onshore wind capacity by the decade’s end to meet its renewable energy target.
Klaus Müller, the President of Germany’s federal network agency, emphasized the positive trend, asserting, “The results of onshore wind auctions were in line with...” their forecasted goals. Germany awarded 4 GW of new capacity across 348 projects during the most recent auction round, which shows solid momentum within this sector.
Internationally, Asia-Pacific nations are intensifying efforts to roll out wind energy projects. For example, India launched its inaugural offshore wind tender off the Gujarat coast, offering 500 MW of capacity as part of its ambition to commission 37 GW of offshore projects by 2030. Meanwhile, Japan has set its own ambitious target of installing 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2045.
Other countries are following suit, with South Korea recently announcing plans for 8 GW of new offshore wind projects over the next two years. These developments showcase the growing recognition of wind energy as a viable solution for sustainable power generation across the globe.
Despite the challenges within global markets, the momentum around wind energy projects indicates a collective effort to pivot toward eco-friendly energy sources. The push from countries to either maintain or ramp up their renewable energy commitments points to the potential for wind power to significantly contribute to global decarbonization efforts.
With these initiatives, stakeholders across the energy sector are recognizing both the urgency and the opportunities presented by wind energy. The collective progress made through various successful projects and government strategies is setting the stage for increased capacity and innovation, ensuring wind energy remains central to future energy landscapes.