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Maritime Forum

Map of the Week – Renewable Energies: Offshore Wind Farms

This map shows the point locations and operational status of offshore wind farms in European seas.

Most operational wind farms are concentrated in the North Sea and Baltic Sea regions. However, many new wind farms are planned across Europe, particularly along the coasts of Ireland and Italy, with additional projects scheduled for the Baltic Sea.

This week marked the beginning of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as nations gather between 11 and 22 November 2024 to address global climate challenges. COP29 is an international summit where governments, scientists, activists and policymakers discuss strategies to achieve key environmental targets, including emissions reductions and adaptation measures [1]. COP29 also offers inclusive access to the global community through platforms such as the COP29 Virtual Ocean Pavilion, which elevates ocean conservation’s role in climate talks. This virtual pavilion features live events, exhibitions, and interactive tools, making it possible for people and youth worldwide to engage with ocean issues and connect with experts in real-time. For instance, on November 11, the World Maritime University and OceanICU hosted an event, ‘The Ocean Carbon Cycle: Bridging science, policy development and concrete action’, highlighting the ocean’s essential role in carbon regulation. This event brought scientific insights and policy perspectives together to underscore the ocean’s critical potential for climate mitigation within global climate frameworks.

Aligning with COP29’s themes on sustainable energy, this week’s map highlights the point locations and operational status of offshore wind farms in the European Union (EU) seas. Wind energy is a foundation of the sustainable energy movement, where wind turbines harness the power of the wind to produce electricity [2]. Offshore wind farms, which are large clusters of turbines strategically positioned at sea, benefit from the strong and consistent winds typical of marine environments. As a result, offshore wind farms can produce a steady, substantial supply of clean energy for millions home in the EU [3]. Zoom in the map and explore the specific locations of these wind farms across European waters, as well as their current operational status. 

Offshore wind energy development is integral to the European Green Deal, which sets ambitious goals for carbon neutrality by 2050. Key EU regulations, such as the Renewable Energy Directive, support the clean energy expansion, including offshore wind farms, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit fossil fuels dependence and boost energy resilience. Revised in 2023, this Directive raises the EU’s renewable energy target from 32% to a minimum of 42.5%, aiming for 45% of total energy consumption by 2030. In 2023, renewables made up an estimated 24.1% of EU energy, a historic high following EU initiatives such the Fit-for-55 package and the REPowerEU plan [4]. By prioritising renewable projects in its seas, the EU advances a low-carbon economy, aligning with UNFCCC climate goals and contributing to a sustainable global future.

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The data in the map are provided by EMODnet.

[1] https://cop29.az/en/conference/what-is-cop29 

[2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/1kyk0wjm/2024_685_art_windpower_web.pdf 

[3] https://windeurope.org/intelligence-platform/product/latest-wind-energy-data-for-europe-autumn-2024/#overview 

[4] https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/share-of-energy-consumption-from