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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
How realistic are UK offshore wind ambitions?
19/6/2024
10 min read
Key sessions at All-Energy 2024 in Glasgow addressed the challenges and opportunities for UK North Sea offshore wind developments. The failure of Allocation Round 5 (AR5) last year still preyed on some minds, despite the promise of a more inviting contract for difference (CfD) deal in AR6. There were concerns about the pace of supply chain development. However, there was also recognition of the advantages of Scotland in terms of offshore engineering experience and an established skill and innovation base. New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis reports.
Under its April 2024 Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan, an alliance of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, and RenewableUK proposed that UK manufacturing capacity could be tripled in the next 10 years.
At the time of launch, Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said: ‘The UK stands on the cusp of a golden opportunity to build a world-class offshore wind supply chain.’ What’s more, she sees the Industrial Growth Plan charting a clear course for the collaboration needed between governments and industry in the years ahead.
Tim Pick, former Offshore Wind Champion and now Chair of the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, put the cat amongst the pigeons when he admitted to the All-Energy 2024 delegates that he oscillates between ‘euphoria one minute and depression the next!’ He emphasised that the UK is not alone in this endeavour, and claimed: ‘Many of our overseas friends are looking at what we do and seeking to learn from how we endeavour to build out offshore wind.’