UK Crown Estate Gives Offshore Wind Leasing Update

The Crown Estate has presented an update on potential new offshore wind leasing to the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), a senior government and industry forum in the UK.

The presentation outlines The Crown Estate’s early thinking in relation to the leasing model design, as well as a process of engagement with the offshore wind sector, stakeholders and other interested parties over the summer.

The feedback from this engagement will form part of The Crown Estate’s consideration in determining the case for, and approach to, any new offshore wind leasing. If new leasing is confirmed, a formal process could commence in late 2018 or early 2019.

As a result of the potential for new leasing, the government body has also announced that it will no longer be accepting applications for offshore wind farm extensions after 31 May 2018, which is expected to help pave the way for a single and comprehensive route for awarding new seabed rights and avoid potentially having two processes running concurrently.

The update on potential new offshore wind leasing follows The Crown Estate’s announcement in November last year that it would be considering a process for awarding new seabed rights in the waters off England, Wales and Northern Island.