The prospect of turning the world’s second largest continent – by size and population – green is more than a little intriguing. As Africa moves toward a goal of universal electricity, the wind industry has an opportunity to shape the future.

Offshore wind energy is increasingly growing in prominence around the world. Stronger, more consistent winds out at sea can generate high volumes of energy, which, in turn, could make wind energy production more efficient. At present, it seems that Europe is ahead of the USA in offshore wind. So, why is this the case, and what do the two regions have planned for the future?

Offshore wind energy is experiencing a boom – with investors and authorities realizing the potential of the stronger, more continuous wind out at sea. And the newly opened Hornsea Wind Farm, located off the English coast, is on course to become the largest in the world by 2020.

Germany is a world leader in wind energy production, and HUSUM Wind is the biggest wind-energy expo focused on the German-speaking market. 2019 marked the event’s 30th anniversary, which is itself an indicator of how much wind energy has grown.

In the modern era, social media is one of the most useful tools for businesses to share their message, build brand identity, and reach completely new target groups. Industry associations can complement this by representing the goals and concerns of a sector. This also applies to wind energy and could be a key driver of future expansion.

Wind energy is often associated with Europe, the USA, and China. However, Brazil is less frequently mentioned – despite being a major economic power. As Latin America’s largest wind energy event approaches, we take a look at the market situation as well as challenges and opportunities for wind power in Brazil.

Wind energy and other renewables are on the rise in the electricity sector. This isn’t the case for other areas, such as transport or heating, which still heavily rely on fossil fuels. Sector coupling may provide the catalyst for changing this – contributing heavily to making many industries greener.

Europe’s leading wind energy event didn’t disappoint. Leading CEOs and experts in technology, policy, and finance as well as five government ministers took part in a packed speaker program. What were the standout highlights of the WindEurope Conference and Exhibition 2019?

2019 promises to be a big year for wind energy. There are plenty of important events coming up, and new approaches to O&M will play a significant role in the sector. The Wind Farm Management Blog talks to Dr. Philipp Schmid from SKF for key insights into what we can expect in 2019.