Wind of change: The UK's offshore wind industry should look to new technologies to save time and cost

摘要

THE TARGET to install 25GW of offshore wind power by 2020 has been discussed many times in the press and at wind energy conferences. Ideas are coming to light about how to make this possible, looking at supply-chain issues and installation methods, for example. Recently, Dr Gordon Edge, the British Wind Energy Association's (BWEA's) chief economist, warned that the projected 20 per cent reduction in offshore costs to about ￡2.5m per installed megawatt was dependent on the development of a dedicated offshore turbine supply chain. He added that costs will only fall if the sector can bring an end to the scenario whereby developers compete for parts with onshore wind farms and for installation vessels with the offshore oil-and-gas industry.