According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of renewables in global electricity generation is expected to grow from 30% in 2023 to 46% by 2030. By the end of this decade, wind energy is projected to become the second largest source of renewable electricity globally—surpassing hydropower and following solar PV.
As the onshore and offshore wind sector continues to expand, it also faces a number of technical and operational challenges—from site selection and infrastructure design to performance optimisation and long-term monitoring. Earth Observation (EO) solutions are proving to be increasingly valuable in supporting these efforts. From detecting land subsidence and coastal changes to assessing “wind theft” or wake effects, EO is emerging as a critical tool to support better decision-making across the wind energy value chain.
In this context, the European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the “EO4WIND” Best Practices initiative, aimed at identifying current information needs and best practices for the use of EO-based products and services within the wind energy sector. The initiative also seeks to define a roadmap for developing EO industry guidelines tailored to both onshore and offshore wind.
As part of this initiative, the upcoming EOcafe webinar will bring together key voices from the EO4WIND project. Host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General) will be joined by Sinead McGlynn (Chief Operating Officer, TechWorks Marine) and Conor Doyle (Earth Observation Scientist, TechWorks Marine) to present the project’s findings and discuss the needs, challenges, and opportunities for the EO and wind energy communities.
Topics to be explored include
- What is the current role of EO in the wind sector?
- What specific challenges can EO help address?
- What is the added value EO brings to wind energy operations?
- What barriers do EO companies face when entering or scaling in this market?
- Are there successful EO applications already in use?
- What are the main gaps and future needs in EO for wind energy?
- How can the EO sector better connect with wind energy stakeholders?
- What are the next steps in the EO4WIND project?
Event details
Date and time: 5th of june, 2025, 16 – 17 hrs CEST
Format: Online (virtual event)
Registration: The webinar is open to all. Registration is free but compulsory. Registration link here.
Please note:
- Use of a video camera is not mandatory but encouraged to enhance interaction.
- The session will remain open after 17:00 CEST for informal discussion.
- By registering, you agree to the event terms and conditions.
- For questions or to suggest a future EOcafe topic, contact Tanya Walker at tanya.walker@earsc.org.
