Summary future energy trends

The following findings provide a summary of the future energy trends in the North Sea:
  • There are wide differences in NSR countries policies, objectives, targets and timelines.
  • Most offshore wind farms are within UK and German waters. Scotland is leading on wave and tidal energy developments.
  • Most energy targets and commitments only run up to 2020 and then there is a lack of medium term (2030) targets. The remaining targets are aspirational targets running up to 2050.
  • It is important to take future timelines of wind energy projects into account in sectoral planning considerations, including upcoming competitive tenders and the regulatory framework.
  • The 2020 outlook for wind energy is promising in terms of achieving energy policy commitments and targets.
  • Future energy industry trends include larger, more powerful offshore wind turbines further offshore in deeper waters, floating wind, multi-rotor turbines, increased ocean energy developments, multi-use developments, and decommissioning of Oil & Gas platforms . These trends will all have spatial implications for MSP.
  • Future outlook for 2020 and 2030 for offshore wind shows a mismatch in the level of aspirations between government and industry.
  • Space requirements are needed to be considered carefully for meeting offshore industry growth forecasts for 2020 and 2030 in the North Sea.