London, – The United Kingdom is gearing up for a pivotal advancement in offshore wind energy, set to launch the first commercial-scale development of a floating offshore wind farm in the upcoming Round 5 initiative. Managed by The Crown Estate, the leasing process for this groundbreaking endeavor is scheduled to commence in early 2024.
As a trailblazer in the offshore wind industry, the UK, having nearly half as much operational capacity as the rest of Europe combined, is now turning its attention to the potential of floating offshore wind as the next frontier in sustainable energy. The Crown Estate, responsible for overseeing the seabed around England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, recently unveiled details for the leasing round, focusing on three commercial-scale floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea, off the coast of South Wales and South West England.
The key innovation highlighted in this phase is the floating wind technology’s ability to open new areas of the seabed for wind power generation. The advanced anchoring technology allows wind farms to operate in deeper waters, farther from the shore, tapping into stronger and more reliable wind patterns compared to traditional fixed-base turbines.
Graham Stuart, the UK’s Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, emphasized the significant opportunity presented by floating offshore wind, stating, “Floating offshore wind is a huge opportunity for Wales and the South West, with the potential to deliver billions of pounds of direct investment whilst bolstering our energy independence and net-zero ambitions. Today’s plans will build on the Government’s ambition to deploy up to 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2030.”
The initial three wind farms planned for the Celtic Sea are anticipated to have a combined capacity of up to 4.5 GW, representing the first phase of commercial development in the region. The UK government has expressed its intention to unlock space for an additional 12GW of capacity in the Celtic Sea by 2023, envisioning the region providing 16 GW of renewable energy by the 2030s.
The Crown Estate is committed to supporting the industry’s development while ensuring optimal value for the nation. The Round 5 program incorporates strategic changes to facilitate the industry, including upfront investments in crucial workstreams to mitigate risks for developers. This involves funding marine surveys to enhance understanding of the physical and environmental attributes around the locations of the new wind farms. The Crown Estate also plans to introduce a new pilot fund to expedite supply chain projects.
The Round 5 process is set to commence in early 2024, featuring pre-qualification questionnaires and an informational session on January 31, providing prospective bidders with detailed insights into the tender process.