What role does polymeric technology play in burgeoning wind industry?

Designed to safeguard the integrity of wind turbine blade leading edges for the long term, this polymeric technology plays a critical role in supporting this growing sector

-  Chloe Hirst

There has been considerable growth in the wind power industry over the past few years. However, further exponential growth of the industry is required in order to ensure that the net-zero by 2050 pathway (outlined in the Paris Agreement) is successfully reached.

In order to support this seismic growth, polymeric repair and protection technology has an important part to play. Designed to safeguard the integrity of wind turbine blade leading edges for the long term, this technology plays a critical role in supporting this burgeoning industry.

Wind electricity generation needs to grow fourfold by 2030

According to the International Energy Association's (IEA) Wind Electricity Tracking Report (September 2022): "In 2021 wind electricity generation increased by a record 273 Twh (up 17%). This was 55% higher growth than that achieved in 2020 and was the highest among all renewable power technologies."

While the industry has undoubtedly experienced impressive levels of growth in these years, according to the IEA, wind electricity generation needs to reach four times the record levels set in 2020 by 2030. The Report said: "Our pathway calls for scaling up solar and wind rapidly this decade, reaching annual additions of [...] 390 GW of wind by 2030."

How is the scale-up of the wind industry being financed?

According to the IEA's Report: "Policy support remains the principal driver of wind deployment in the majority of the world." Indeed, over the past few years, several policies have been launched that are designed to drive forward the roll-out of renewables.