Natural England have kicked-off work with clean energy consulting group Opergy to lead on a study that will look to determine the potential for establishing an offshore demonstration site within England’s territorial waters.
The new testing ground/s could be used by not just the offshore renewables sector, but others too, including hydrogen production from offshore wind; oil & gas decarbonisation technologies, carbon capture, and aggregates. Through the study, Opergy will assess lessons learned and best practice from other operational demonstration sites in the UK, Europe and around the world; explore market demand for such a demonstration site in English territorial waters through targeted engagement with bodies such as The Crown Estate and offshore developers; identify the appropriate process for establishing a demonstration area in English waters; and, identify the likely costs involved of establishing such a site, along with the governance considerations for its development and operation, and possible locations. It will look to report back in March 2023.
