Viability of Creating an Offshore Wind Energy Cluster: A Case Study

Abstract

Renewable energies play an important role in combating fossil fuels. The offshore wind sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in recent years and has attracted interest from investors and researchers, although the process is more complex and investments more expensive than onshore. Industry clusters have competitive advantages and a good opportunity for growth in the renewable energy sector. Considering the advantages associated with the port sector while bearing in mind the potential of offshore wind energy, currently several international ports are aiming to achieve a solid integration in offshore wind energy clusters. In particular, the Portuguese port sector plays an important role in the transportation of cargo and goods contributing also to the competitiveness of the country. This article aims to perform an analysis of several seaports and offshore wind energy clusters in Europe to assess the feasibility of implementing an offshore wind energy cluster in the Port of Aveiro, Portugal. To attain this main objective, a deep literature review and a case study methodology were performed. Based on the market analysis of this type of energy, together with the analysis carried out on the value chain of the company case study (ASM Offshore), it is possible to conclude that the Portuguese market in this sector is not competitive, compared with other international markets. Nevertheless, the development of an offshore wind energy cluster in Portugal, with several companies belonging to different categories, could increase its prospects, as well as dispute the growth of other companies associated with the national sector. This research is relevant, first because there is a lack of research that links the importance of the seaports in offshore wind energy projects development, in particular with a cluster structure, and second, because it contributes to knowledge for the leverage of the development of the Aveiro region and Portugal, based on the exploitation of the renewable energy market and to the increase of related activities.