A project to cut the cost of offshore wind by at least 10% is being awarded £ 2.2 million by the Scottish Government.
The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme, a joint industry and government scheme, brings together nine offshore wind developers with over 72% (31GW) of the UK’s licensed capacity. The project aims to deliver the 10% reduction in time for offshore wind developments in Scottish waters with partners working together to identify technological challenges and prioritising those with the most significant savings potential, before developing innovative solutions. The OWA will receive £200,000 in 2014/15 and £2,000,000 in 2015/16. The money will be used to:
- encourage international collaboration between offshore wind developers to address cost reduction challenges in Scottish waters
- share knowledge on foundations and installations, operations and maintenance, the best wind farm layouts, electrical systems and cable installation
- support the commercialisation of floating offshore wind turbines for Scottish waters
