UK Industry Gathers to Set Out Floating Wind Strategy

RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables have launched a new industry group to set out the strategy for large-scale deployment of floating offshore wind in the UK.

The Floating Wind Steering Group will meet with the aim of producing a consensus vision for the future of floating wind and the business case for its continued development in the UK.

According to the founders, the group includes representatives from developers and supply chain companies, and from regions around the UK.

“Innovation is key to the long-term growth set out in the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and floating turbines will open up new areas in deeper waters, particularly off the coast of Scotland with new sites for development currently being considered,” said Jenny Hogan, Deputy Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables.

“Globally, much of the offshore wind potential is in deeper waters that will need floating technology, so this sector offers new industrial opportunities across the UK.”  

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently developing a white paper which will update the government’s electricity strategy and which the floating wind industry seeks in order to recognize the opportunity for the UK to pioneer new technology and industrial opportunities.

Floating offshore wind was also mentioned in the recently published Offshore Wind Sector Deal, and the industry recognizes that new technology will be valuable in helping reach 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, the parties said.

To remind, the UK is home to the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, the 30MW Hywind Scotland project, commissioned in 2017.