Floating wind turbines needed to meet offshore wind targets Large potential identified for floating technology; Dogger Bank wind farms to use HVDC connections to shore

摘要

Continued,large-scale growth of offshore wind power will require a significant contribution from new floating turbines,according to a joint report from trade associations RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables: Floating Wind-The UK Industry Ambition.Indeed floating technology is necessary for the UK to reach its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 and to fulfil Scotland's commitment to achieve this by 2045,says the report.The industry estimates that floating wind could support 17,000 UK jobs by 2050,particularly in coastal communities in England,Scotland and Wales,while also delivering ￡34bn of economic activity.To date,most offshore wind has been built using solid foundations directly attached to the seabed.In deeper waters,this is not an effective solution so the industry is adapting technology from North Sea oil and gas rigs,where floating platforms are tethered to the seabed.The world's first floating offshore wind farm,Hywind,was installed in 2017 off the coast of Peterhead in Scotland and another,Kincardine,is under construction in Scottish waters.