The problem with wind power
Wind power will be central to the energy transition, but it is currently stuck in the mire. Unsticking itself is all but straightforward
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The wind industry should be experiencing a golden age. As one of the world’s cheapest forms of new generation, with a renewed global focus on energy security, and the need to decarbonise, wind energy is often the go-to technology of choice.
But orders for new machinery were down in 2022, and western original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have issued warnings for a difficult 2023. A similar story is seen along the whole supply chain.
Many fingers point to permitting, particularly in Europe, as the main bottleneck for the deployment of new wind capacity. But there are other issues the sector is facing that it must also overcome.
In this week’s Watt Matters, Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), and Morten Dyrholm, Vice President and Global Head of Marketing and Public Affairs at Danish OEM Vestas Wind and chair of GWEC, discuss with the team why the wind manufacturing sector is struggling, what the solutions could be and why there is still cause for optimism.
Enjoy the show!
If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our Twitter accounts:
Morten Dyrholm
Ben Backwell
Michaela Holl
Jan Rosenow
David Weston
@WattMattersPod
FORESIGHT Climate & Energy
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Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva.
Show notes:
Fit for the future, not Fit-for-55 | Ember
At Last, a New Deal for the High Seas
Developing offshore wind energy in India
Energy House 2.0 project by Salford Uni in Manchester, UK
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