The role of offshore wind and solar PV resources in global low-carbon transition

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With a conservative assumption of using 1% of suitable areas, offshore wind and solar PV could generate ~6049 and 14,173 terawatt- hours of electricity annually. This would cover nearly 30% of the expected global electricity demand in 2050. The resulting reductions in carbon dioxide emissions could exceed 9 billion tonnes annually. These findings highlight the critical role offshore renewable energy can play in achieving a low- carbon future.

The environmental impacts associated with large- scale offshore renewable installations are still not fully characterized. Offshore wind turbine foundations may affect local sea creatures, hydrodynamic processes, and sediment transport.

Meanwhile, grid integration and energy system compatibility also pose challenges for large- scale offshore renewable deployment.

Science Advances 24 Oct 2025 Vol 11, Issue 43. Jiaxin Wu, Pengzhi Lin*, Ying Min Low*