AMBROSE EVANS-PRITCHARD: 25 OCTOBER 2019
The arch-sceptics of the International Energy Agency have embraced offshore wind, saying it can meet the world’s entire electricity demand 11 times over even when zones are set aside for uses such as shipping, defence and fishing. “Its potential is vast,” said the IEA report released on Friday.
Europe and North America can meet their needs three times over from shallow waters close to shore, as can much of South America, Russia, and New Zealand.
This leaves plenty spare to make green hydrogen from electrolysis that can be used for back-up power, heat, transport for rail, trucks and ships, and the production of zero-carbon steel, cement and glass.