Wind energy is set to be the major new offshore industry of the next generation, ...

Wind energy is set to be the major new offshore industry of the next generation, according to recently appointed Executive Vice President of Shell Renewables’ Wind Energy business David Jones, speaking at a conference in Aberdeen. The potential for renewable energy is enormous and he predicted that, in time, with improvements in technology and the need for sustainable development, renewables could emulate the rise of oil 100 years ago when it overtook coal and wood as the primary fuel source. Wind energy could be at the forefront of that development. ‘Wind is the most competitive of the renewable energy sources when comparing costs with conventional fuels,’ said Jones. ‘Wind energy production is expected to increase rapidly as it moves offshore to achieve wind farms of greater scale.’ Shell plans to be a ‘major player in the global wind energy sector.’ The company’s interest spans all aspects of the development chain - identification, site evaluation, design, construction and operation. It was involved in the construction and operation of the UK’s first offshore wind farm at Blyth, which comprises two 2 MW turbines capable of generating enough power to meet the demands of 3,000 ‘average’ UK households. Two wind turbines have also been erected at the Shell refinery in Harburg, Germany. Each can produce 1.5 MW of power and together can supply more than 2,300 homes. The ‘green’ electricity is sold to residents of Hamburg through a Shell and NEU Power marketing initiative. The company also recently announced its partnership with Nuon, the ING bank and Jacobs Comprino in a consortium called Noordzeewind for the large-scale production of offshore wind power in the Netherlands. The consortium is to participate in the invitation for tenders with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs is expected to issue soon for the ‘Near Shore’ 100 MW wind park off the Dutch coast at Egmond.