The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the Community of European Shipyards’ Association (CESA) urge the European Commission to develop programmes and funding mechanisms, and for the European Investment Bank to take measures to support the risk related to these, to ensure that a sufficient number of installation vessels are available to the offshore wind industry.

“From 2020 we will see 40,000 MWs per year built offshore,” says Eddie O’Connor, Founder and CEO of Mainstream Renewables and EWEA Secretary. “This will require 10 to 12 new heavy lift vessels, other vessels for transporting foundations, towers, nacelles and blading systems. New ports will have to be built across Europe.”

The offshore wind industry currently employs 19,000 people, a level which is expected to rise to 156,000 jobs by 2020.

EWEA and CESA also argue that the offshore wind power industry should be identified as a key industry in the EU’s 2020 strategy for smart, green growth.