Global Offshore Wind Alliance

Why in news?

• Recently, nine new countries sign up for Global Offshore Wind Alliance at COP27.

What is Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA)?

• It was established in 2005 to ramp up of offshore wind in order to tackle the climate and energy security crises.
• It was set up by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Denmark and the Global Wind Energy Council.

About Offshore Wind Energy:

• Offshore wind energy refers to the deployment of wind farms inside the water bodies. They utilize the sea winds to generate electricity.
• These wind farms either use fixed-foundation turbines or floating wind turbines.
  • A fixed-foundation turbine is built in shallow water, whereas a floating wind turbine is built in deeper waters where its foundation is anchored in the seabed.
  • Floating wind farms are still in their infancy.
• Offshore wind farms must be at least 200 nautical miles from the shore and 50 feet deep in the ocean.
• Offshore wind turbines produce electricity which is returned to shore through cables buried in the ocean floor.
• The coastal load centres distribute this electricity based on priority.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Global Offshore Wind Alliance’:

1. It was set up under International Energy Agency

2. It was established at 26th United Nations Climate Change conference held in Glasgow

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer