WindEurope: Ports key to offshore wind expansion

WindEurope’s CEO Giles Dickson spoke at ONS 2024 conference in Stavanger, Norway.

The panel discussions were on the offshore wind supply chain challenges.

Giles Dickson mentioned the crucial role of ports in the expansion of offshore wind and its supplychain. Europe needs to invest €8.5bn in its ports infrastructure between now and 2030. Money should go to port land expansion, to reinforcing heavy loading and deep-sea harbours.

“Europe’s ports are not ready for the build-out of offshore wind Europe wants. And that’s deeply worrying. Because you can’t do offshore wind without ports. If the ports aren’t ready, then all the other huge efforts and investments that are being made across the offshore wind value chain are potentially wasted”, said Giles Dickson.

Already in March this year, Wind Europe published a summary of key information regarding the importance of ports in the development of offshore wind.