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A new report published by the Carbon Trust is highlighting the key areas for policy makers to consider in order to develop a world leading market for floating wind in the UK. A new report published by the Carbon Trust is highlighting the key areas for policy makers to consider in order to develop a world leading market for floating wind in the UK.

The analysis was carried out by the Carbon Trust in collaboration with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and covers four policy areas: licensing and consenting; subsidy and grant support; supply chain development; and grid connection.

The report is the first official output of the Floating Wind Joint Industry Project (JIP), a collaborative initiative designed to bring together public and private organisations interested in investigating the challenges and opportunities of developing floating wind technology. The Floating Wind JIP was set up by the Carbon Trust in collaboration with five offshore wind project developers DONG Energy, EDF, E.ON, innogy, and Statoil, with support from the Scottish Government.

The study provides recommendations on how to create the best policy and regulatory environment to attract inward investment into the UK floating wind industry, and build supply chain capability to exploit opportunities in potential international markets. The report concludes that ongoing support will be crucial to create a world leading floating wind market in in the UK.

With Statoil’s Hywind Scotland due to commence generation later this year and a further two floating wind projects undergoing planning consent in Scotland, collectively these could provide up to 90MW of installed floating wind capacity and help to propel the UK into a world leading position.

However, with current subsidy support for floating wind scheduled to end in October 2018, the report outlines several policy options which could be explored to safeguard continued support for future floating wind technology development and build on the progress to date.

Jan Matthiesen, Director of Offshore Wind at the Carbon Trust commented:

“Floating wind presents a huge opportunity to unlock new markets for offshore wind by enabling areas with deeper waters and high wind resource to be accessed in a cost effective way. However, there are a number of novel challenges that will need to be addressed in order to deploy floating wind turbines at commercial scale. The UK has led the world in fixed-bottom offshore wind and is now on the verge of securing a world leading position in floating wind, but continued support is critical to make this a reality.”

“Floating wind is a nascent technology and as such requires elements of tailored policy to encourage future technology innovation and supply chain development to support the commercialisation journey.”

Recommendations for policy and regulatory measures include:

• A viable support mechanism to secure the UK’s position as a world leader in floating wind.
• Clearly defined timelines for decision making through the consenting process to aid developer planning and increase investor confidence.
• Increased dialogue between stakeholders directly involved in and influencing the consenting process.
• Support for research and development activity to accelerate innovation and reduce costs.
• Support for infrastructure and other capital equipment to ensure a competitive supply chain is created to service the transportation, fabrication and installation of floating wind.

Details of the projects to be undertaken as part of the next phase of the Floating Wind JIP have recently been announced and include assessments of electrical systems, mooring systems, and logistical challenges in large arrays of floating wind turbines. Current participants include DONG Energy, E.ON, Eolfi, innogy, and Statoil, with support from the Scottish Government.

Click here to download the report

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