The global wind energy sector faces a critical challenge: current growth rates fall short of achieving Zero Emissions by 2050. GWEC’s 2021 report highlights that tripling annual installations is essential to curb climate change. This article unpacks the urgency of scaling wind energy capacity and explores actionable strategies from Vu Phong Energy Group. We’ll review GWEC’s findings and offer practical insights on overcoming policy barriers, enhancing grid infrastructure, and fostering industry collaboration. Key focus: wind energy development’s role in sustainable energy transitions.
2020 marked a historic year for the wind power industry, experiencing unprecedented growth. However, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) cautions that this current pace is insufficient to achieve global Zero Emissions targets by 2050.
Record Growth in 2020
In 2020, 93 GW of newly installed wind power capacity brought the global total to 743 GW. This marked the fastest-growing year in the industry’s history, with capacity surging by 53% compared to 2019.
The remarkable increase in wind energy development in 2020 was significantly driven by contributions from the United States and China, which together accounted for 75% of new wind power plant installations that year. These two nations now represent over half of the total global wind generating capacity. 2020 also witnessed continued robust growth in offshore wind power, with over 6 GW of new installations, bringing the global offshore capacity to more than 35 GW—a 106% increase over five years.
Wind power has grown significantly in 2020 (source: Internet)
The Asia Pacific region is poised to play an increasingly vital role in fostering the growth of the wind power industry, with ambitious targets set by major economies like Japan and Korea.
New Wind Power Capacity Must Be 2-3 Times the Current Rate
According to GWEC’s Global Wind Power Report 2021, the world must triple wind capacity installations over the next decade to effectively limit global temperature rise to less than 2°C. This translates to installing at least 180 GW of new wind power annually until 2025. Furthermore, to achieve 2050 emissions goals, newly added wind power capacity would need to reach 280 GW every year after 2030.
GWEC advocates for immediate action from authorities to accelerate wind power growth. Key tasks involve reducing policy impediments, streamlining administrative structures, boosting investment in power grids and critical infrastructure, restructuring energy markets, and fostering conducive conditions. Moreover, the wind power industry must collaborate with governments, communities, and other sectors like solar power and energy storage to determine the most effective energy transition strategies for accelerating this vital conversion and to reduce emissions through wind energy.
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According to a report by the Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN), the utility has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for 113 wind power projects, totaling 6,038 MW. Of these, only 12 projects, amounting to 582 MW, have commenced commercial operation. A further 87 projects, with a combined capacity of 4,432 MW, are slated to begin commercial service before October 31, 2021.
Global wind power growth must be faster in the next decade
In early 2021, Vu Phong Energy Group signed a contract with STEAG Energy Services GmbH (SES – Germany) to partner in delivering comprehensive technical, operation, maintenance, and Asset Management services to wind farm owners. STEAG Energy Services GmbH is recognized as a leading global power service provider, boasting expertise in over 100,000 MW of engineering, 7,300 MW of operations management, and 3,700 MW of O&M management assistance worldwide.
Source: Vu Phong Energy Group JSC
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