Challenges with sea ice action on structures for Offshore wind

Abstract

EU urgently needs to increase the development of secure and green energy, and this includes renewables such as Offshore wind energy. An expansion of Offshore wind will include the Baltic where sea ice is one of the major uncertainties. To ensure that the w ind turbines are safe for people and the environment, while keeping them economically competitive better guidelines and regulations should b e developed collaboratively by European industry and academia. There are unsolved challenge s with respect to ice action on structures for offshore wind. However, in the current draft for Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024 on Climate, Energy and Mobility1, the challenges related to sea ice with regards to Offshore wind energy are not mentioned. In order to meet the crucial green energy goals, it is our statement that it is imperative to include sea ice i n the final version.