The Government has left the door open for a bigger than expected boom in offshore wind power in the next decade to power low-carbon economic growth. Ministers are hoping to tackle the UK’s lagging productivity and boost economic growth by betting on the low-carbon sector, which in recent years has brought a surge in skilled jobs across the country. Offshore wind power has emerged as a key success story in the green growth agenda and the strategy outlines plans to consider going further to support the sector by rolling out more than the 10GW capacity of offshore wind initially planned for the 2020s. The strategy paper, which contains more than 50 major policies and plans, said that “provided costs continue to fall” the Government would consider opportunities for additional projects beyond the 10GW cap in order to support high-value jobs and a sustainable UK industry, which can export goods and services around the world. Juergen Maier, boss of manufacturing giant Siemens, said the strategy offers up “a great opportunity for Great Britain”. The group has set up blade manufacturing in Hull and plans to cut its own carbon footprint by 50pc by the end of the decade and become a “zero carbon company” by 2030. Hugh McNeal, the chief executive of Renewable UK, also welcomed the the strategy, which was unveiled just one day after the Government announced a third funding auction in which wind farms based on Scottish islands will also be able to take part.
Telegraph 12th Oct 2017 read more »
The government in the UK has published its long-awaited and much anticipated Clean Growth Strategy, which includes a ‘sector deal’ for offshore wind that could see more than 10 GW of new offshore wind capacity developed. The Clean Growth Strategy aims to improve the route to market for renewable technologies such as offshore wind by committing up to £557M (US$736M) for further ‘Pot 2’ contract for difference auctions, with the next one planned for early 2019. The government confirmed its commitment to work with industry on an “ambitious” sector deal for offshore wind, which could result in 10 gigawatts of new capacity, with the opportunity for additional deployment if this is cost effective, built in the 2020s.
Offshore Wind Journal 12th Oct 2017 read more »
EDP’s Moray West want to build up to 90 turbines off the north-east coast that could generate power for up to 750,000 homes. Yesterday the early plans went before Moray Council’s planning committee for concerns to be raised. The project, entitled Moray West Offshore Wind Farm, would be the firm’s second development in the region. Last month the company was awarded a contract by the UK Government to sell power generated in the eastern development. Both projects are expected to create a jobs boost at Buckie Harbour and the rest of Moray. Yesterday, drawings submitted to Moray Council showed a vast corridor where an underground cable would be buried from the coast to a substation near Keith.
Energy Voice 11th Oct 2017 read more »
