Growth of Offshore Wind Markets in the Asia Pacific Region

While countries are approving promising wind projects, the industry faces various challenges, such as unpredictable sea conditions and large distances. This presents a crucial task for operators of offshore wind farms: ensuring seamless communication across all sites to guarantee the safety and efficiency of offshore operations.

On the Way to Global Wind Power Leadership

According to GWEC, the global offshore wind industry is expected to add 380GW of capacity across 32 markets by 2032, with nearly half of that growth predicted to come from the APAC region. The long coastlines and high offshore wind speeds create great opportunities for offshore wind energy development. Therefore, countries here are investing substantially in renewable energy sources and implementing government policies to support industry growth.

The key players in this market, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines have already launched offshore wind projects. Meanwhile, India announced its intent to set up 37 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, and Australia is exploring the potential of offshore wind. As for 2023, China holds a leadership position not only in the region but globally, with 105 offshore wind farms already operating.

Overcoming Challenges in Offshore Wind Industry

Building and operating offshore wind farms involves numerous issues.

• Huge territories. The largest offshore wind farms can cover an area of 160 square kilometers.
• Remote sites. Offshore turbines, offshore stations and onshore control points are located at significant distances from each other.
• Harsh maritime environment. The staff must ensure that turbines operate smoothly in all weather conditions.

Operational efficiency and safety during both construction and operation phases require reliable and easy-to-use communication systems. The quality of voice transmission, speech intelligibility, and the timely activation of the public address system, covering all crucial sites, become paramount.

Zenitel: Experience and Expertise in Reliable Solutions

The Zenitel team has accumulated extensive experience in implementing communication systems for offshore wind projects, tailoring solutions to meet industry-specific demands and challenges. Zenitel specializes in delivering integrated communication networks for offshore energy, including modern IP-based PAGA, Two-Way Radio, IP Intercom & PABX, CCTV, and LAN infrastructure.

PAGA Systems for Emergency Communication

In offshore wind installations, timely staff notification is paramount. Zenitel's PAGA systems ensure rapid response in emergencies. This scalable and flexible IP-based PAGA system is designed in full accordance with the stringent energy application requirements. The wide integration ability allows seamless work with CCTV, Two-Way radio, DECT, PBX, and alarms for effective real-time communication during critical events.

CCTV Systems for Enhanced Security

As most offshore wind farm sites are operated remotely, our CCTV systems provide comprehensive surveillance and monitoring, ensuring quick and efficient response to potential safety threats. Integration with PAGA and PBX allows the combination of effective monitoring and voice communication to enhance security and safety features.

Internal Communication Solutions

To ensure continuous staff connectivity throughout offshore wind farms to provide operational coordination and incident response, Zenitel offers a complete package of Wireless Communication and IP Intercom & PABX System designed for demanding environments.

Conclusion

Experts foresee great potential in the APAC region for developing offshore wind energy projects, contributing to a sustainable future. Over the next 10 years, the number of offshore wind farms is expected to grow rapidly throughout the region. The success and efficiency of such projects significantly depend on critical communications between ground control centers, substations, turbines, and service vessels. Zenitel empowers customers in the offshore wind industry to ensure the safety, security and efficiency of operations by delivering systems tested and approved for use in the most demanding environments.