A new study launched this week by EIT InnoEnergy reveals that the floating wind industry could create up to 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Spain and Portugal over the next two decades.
The study, entitled “Iberia as a hub for technology development and industrial leadership in the field of floating wind offshore energy”, sponsored by the independent consulting firm Enzen, found that developing the industry in the Iberian Peninsula over the next two decades would have considerable socioeconomic impact.
Forecasts by top international energy experts indicate that floating offshore wind business will rise sharply around the world over the next decade. The industry has immense potential, and the first to gain a foothold will enjoy huge competitive advantages and ensure strong prospects to become the market leader.
Currently, the industry’s major regions are Europe, North America and Asia (China, Japan and Korea). Nonetheless, EIT InnoEnergy is keenly aware of the competitive advantages of Spain and Portugal and familiar with many of the early players already pushing forward with pioneer projects in this field and, consequently, decided to analyse the true potential of the Peninsula.
According to Mikel Lasa, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy Iberia: “The information collected during the study has been extremely insightful and, consequently, we have relayed them to Spanish and Portuguese institutions that share our interest in developing this promising sector in the Peninsula.”
“At such a complicated time as the present, the commitment to floating offshore wind energy is a unique opportunity to drive the economy and help in the much-needed industrial conversion of Spain and Portugal as part of the energy transition.”