A new report published by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) predicts that European offshore wind projects - both existing and planned - could soon supply 10% of Europe's electricity. The report, entitled 'Oceans of opportunity', was presented at the European Offshore Wind 2009 conference in Stockholm, Sweden on 14 September.

The total of offshore wind energy projects that have been proposed and are currently being developed have the potential to provide over 100 gigawatts (GW), spread across 18 European countries, 15 of which are Member States. According to theEuropean Wind Energy Association, EWEA, these 100 GW will produce 373 terawatt hours (TWh) and help avoid over 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year.

In order to achieve this goal, the EWEA report calls on the European Commission, Member State governments, regulators, transmission-system operators and the wind industry to coordinate their efforts in both the implementation of projects and the support of related research and development (R&D). Coordinated action is also needed to overcome supply-chain bottlenecks that slow down the timely implementation of projects, the report reads.

The EWEA suggests the introduction of a European offshore wind energy payment mechanism in the form of a voluntary action undertaken by relevant Member States and coordinated by the European Commission. Such a mechanism could accelerate development of technology and attract investors. The EWEA report also stresses that a change of mindset is required with reference to electrical grids.

Referring to the first-ever Commission Communication specifically dedicated to offshore wind energy, Commissioner Piebalgs remarked: "At EU level, this genuine political commitment to offshore wind is relatively new, but it has been very robustly demonstrated during the mandate of the current European Commission". The Communication, "Offshore wind energy: action needed to deliver on the Energy Policy Objectives for 2020 and beyond" was adopted at the end of 2008.

Increased financial support from the Commission was approved in May 2009, when EUR 565 million were allocated to offshore wind energy-related projects from the 2009 and 2010 budgets of the Economic Recovery Plan for Europe.