Energy Minister Greg Hands has told the offshore wind industry that the Government is working closely with the sector to accelerate deployment.
Speaking at RenewableUK’s annual Global Offshore Wind conference in Manchester, he told how it was reducing consenting delays while building a strong domestic supply chain.
Ambition for installation increases has been a huge focus of the recovery, with offshore wind the headline of the 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution.
Read more: GWO accreditation for Arco opens up world of wind to training arm
Addressing delegates, Mr Hands said: “We’re all working together to remove barriers which restrict growth in the sector. To deliver a significant expansion, my department is making it easier for offshore wind projects to get off the ground, to address some of the delays and stoppages in the system. Already we’re reducing the time it takes for offshore wind projects to get planning and regulatory consents and to secure grid connections. To further support the industry we’re looking to reduce construction times by delivering a robust UK supply chain.
“The production of secure clean and domestically generated power has never been more important than it is today. Switching to cleaner sources of energy is our best route to overcome the volatile prices of imported hydrocarbons affected by Russian aggression in Ukraine. Offshore wind has a key part to play in our plan. By working together with RenewableUK and industry partners, we will ensure that we continue to be the standard bearers for the industry, shaping a path for the world to follow.”
His speech came just weeks before the next subsidy auction results are anticipated, with the title of world’s largest wind farm transferring from the Hornsea One project to big sister Hornsea Two, as it enters full operations.
Hornsea Three, Orsted’s third in the zone and fifth in the cluster, is understood to be in the bidding.
In Hull, Siemens Gamesa is expanding its blade plant, while major investments are also progressing in the North East.
On Tuesday, the COP26 President Alok Sharma told delegates in a video message that the pace of the energy transition must increase. He said: “Putin’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated to countries the dangers of relying on fossil fuels controlled by a hostile actor - and countries now understand the benefits of low-cost home-grown renewables, the price of which cannot be manipulated from afar.
“Climate and environmental security are now synonymous with energy and national security. Offshore wind is integral to this transition. The potential of wind is extraordinary. We can and we must continue to accelerate this transformation to the low carbon energy system of the future.”
It comes after Orsted vice president, Patrick Harnett, who heads up programmes for the Danish multinational, told how the two Hornsea projects now providing power were offsetting the electricity traditionally generated from Russian gas when he opened a photography exhibition charting construction of the latest farm.
