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market. The more general picture in terms of firm size shows a further
increase of the share of large firms, while medium-sized and small
owners will lose importance (see Figure 2). With regard to firm origin,
ownership structures will remain rather constant, with a dominance of
electric utilities and smaller, almost equal shares for firms from the gas
and oil industry and from other sectors (see Figure 3).
Conclusions
The increasing importance of offshore wind energy as a source of
renewable electricity supply will change the organisational landscape in
the wind power sector. Large investors will play a much more
prominent role in the future, and established electricity suppliers and
firms from the gas and oil industry will be among the key players. It
seems that this development will take place irrespective of the
ownership structures in onshore wind power in the various countries.
Antriebstechnik
Prevailing onshore ownership structures and the related experiences, in
other words, seem to have little or no influence on the offshore
segment, which entails much higher financial and technical risks and
SSB calls for investments, comparable to those for conventional power
plants. Changes will be most pronounced in countries such as
Denmark and Germany that have been characterised by highly
dispersed wind park ownership structures so far.
This development has implications for the wind power sector, especially
in countries where the market share of offshore projects is rapidly
gaining ground. First, market concentration on the technology demand
SSB Wind Systems
side is likely to increase. Wind turbine manufacturers may face a
considerable shift in their customer base towards large investors that
can negotiate much more powerfully than small project developers and
Making progress –
wind park owners. Second, electric utilities will gain considerable
the most natural thing in the world.
influence in the wind power sector, which some of them have fought
against for quite some time. Utility companies will then also exert
a growing influence on wind power lobbying, which calls for a
redefinition of the positions of associations and other intermediary
This also applies to us – providing
organisations. Furthermore, benefits may arise if utility companies use
ideas and solutions that meet the
their influence to accelerate complementary investments into the
highest requirements. electricity grid, which is a key challenge for the further expansion of
wind power. Third, there are policy implications. Part of the success
of policies for the support of renewable energies was broad societal
support linked to the fact that individuals (local stakeholders but also
citizens in general) could benefit from investments in these new
A down-to earth approach is the key to real technologies. The shift in ownership structure towards large
progress. A lesson found in nature and proven
corporations might alter these societal bonds of support. Finally, policy-
makers with an interest in pushing the wind power market further will
through our own experience. From pitch systems
have to adapt their instruments to the new trends in ownership and the
to WTGs control and regulation, visualization or
corresponding interests. Conflicts of interest might occur, for example,
optimization – absolute reliability and quality play
with support schemes addressing different innovations (e.g. onshore
a decisive role. From a handful of staff in the versus offshore wind power versus photovoltaics versus carbon capture
late 1980’s, we have grown to more than 400
and storage). In this regard, the observed changes in the organisational
employees worldwide. No matter where you are,
landscape represent new challenges as well as opportunities for policy-
makers and other actors in the wind energy sector. n
we’re always just a phone call away. Give us a
call or visit us online:
1. GWEC, Global wind 2008 report, Brussels: European offshore wind industry – key trends
Global Wind Energy Council, 2009. and statistics 2009, Brussels: European Wind
www.ssb.eu | Tel.: +49 5976 946-0
2. Krohn S, Morthorst P-E, Awerbuch S, Energy Association (EWEA), 2010.
The Economics of Wind Energy, Brussels: 4. Markard J, Petersen R, The offshore
European Wind Energy Association trend: Structural changes in the wind
(EWEA), 2009. power sector, Energy Policy, 2009;37(9):
3. Wilkes,J, Moccia J, Fichaux N, et al., The 3545–56.
SSB. Experience works.
MODERN ENERGY REVIEW VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1
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