Scottish government has awarded some GBP 2 million in funding to Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA), Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and, Energy Skills Partnership to support innovation across the offshore wind sector.
The funding is targeted at innovation to reduce long-term costs, improving health and safety standards, and widening educational opportunities within the industry.
Scotland’s Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “Our aspiration is for Scotland to be a great innovator in the offshore wind sector and this £2 million Scottish Government funding will further support the industry.”
“Offshore wind has a key role to play in achieving our ambitious energy targets and delivering a low-carbon energy system. Scotland has massive offshore wind potential and this funding will help ensure that our world-leading offshore wind sector develops successfully and sustainably,” Brown said.
Scotland currently has two fully operational offshore wind projects: Robin Rigg and Hywind Scotland , the world’s first floating wind farm. Two more are due to be up and running soon with the construction phase on the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre nearing completion and that on Beatrice being well underway.
On 21 May, Crown Estate Scotland presented its proposals for leasing seabed for new offshore wind projects that would be built from late 2020s onwards. The authority said it aimed to have set up the process in a way it supports supply chain development and sector innovation, creates jobs and stimulates economic growth. The final approach to the leasing process is planned to be launched in late 2018 or early 2019.
Offshore WIND Staff