A new task force has been launched to ensure the UK maximises the benefits of floating offshore wind and becomes a “superpower” of the burgeoning technology.
Renewable UK and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult have worked with central government, as well as the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales, to create the Floating Offshore Wind Task Force.
There are two floating offshore wind farms currently generating electricity in the UK – the Hywind and Kincardine projects in Scotland. Meanwhile, the country has a pipeline of more than 26GW.
The new body will include leading companies who are operating and developing floating projects, senior government representatives and key stakeholder organisations such as The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland.
Its initial remit will be to define the scale of opportunity for the industry and to produce a comprehensive report on how to make the most of this.
This will be undertaken in two stages. The first stage, which is scheduled to complete later this year, will analyse how fast new capacity can be built in UK waters and quantify the potential investment needed in UK ports and infrastructure to meet this demand.
This will be followed by a more detailed series of recommendations next spring.
Renewable UK chief Dan McGrail said: “The task force will lay the groundwork for the UK to become a floating wind superpower in the decades ahead. I’m very pleased that we have support from the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments to convene this ground-breaking group which will chart our course to capitalise on this innovative technology.
“It will provide clarity on the strategic investments the UK needs to scale up and deliver a whole new industry, creating thousands of new jobs and revitalising ports and coastal communities around the country. We have the potential to make floating wind a century-defining industrial success story for the UK.”
Energy minister Greg Hands said: “The UK is poised to lead the world in floating offshore wind, building on our proud maritime and engineering traditions.
“This new task force will help power us into the future, making the most of our seas to generate clean, affordable, homegrown electricity.”