Scotland to Develop Floating Offshore Wind Project

The Crown Estate plans to develop a demonstration offshore wind project in water depths of about 100 metres, off the Scotland’s west coast. The authority held a consultation with around 50 stakeholders and public bodies, planning to issue a licence to a developer who would construct the demonstration project comprising floating wind turbines.

Senior development manager at The Crown Estate, Ronnie Quinn, told the Herald Scotland that they are in the early stages of planning a Round 4 of offshore wind development, which could be bigger that Round 3.

“If we can get test-and-development turbines in the water by the second half of this decade, then you are talking about needing a couple of years to gather data. The mid-2020s for commercialisation would seem doable,” Mr. Quinn said.

Proposals are expected to be finished in the following months, after which The Crown Estate will start a tender process or award a selected party with an agreement for lease.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND Staff, November 5, 2012; Image: IDEOL