With the global energy transition in full swing, several nations have been turning to the renewable energy sector in recent months and years amid calls to decarbonize the international energy sector. In the sea of renewable energy possibilities, wind power has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of top renewable energy resource. Ocean Winds, a 50-50 joint venture between EDPR and ENGIE, has been awarded the rights to construct a new 1.5 GW floating wind project in the Celtic Sea off the coast of England and Scotland.
The Crown Estate has selected Ocean Winds as the winner of the latest bidding round
The Crown Estate recently gave the good news to Ocean Winds as part of its Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, marking a turning point for the UK’s wind power ambitions in the near future. The site in the Celtic Sea is one of three that were offered to potential operators as part of the leasing round, with the other two being awarded in June of this year.
The 358 km² site in the Celtic Sea will enable Ocean Winds to develop a floating offshore wind project located in water depths of 71 – 88 metres, with the company noting the project will be delivered in several phases. This latest development underscores Ocean Winds’ commitment to maturing the UK’s offshore wind sector to reach new and astonishing heights in the coming years.
“We are proud to be selected for the award of development rights for this strategic site. With over a decade of experience pioneering floating wind technology, and a proven ability to deliver fixed bottom projects at pace, we are confident in our capabilities to deliver this commercial scale floating project. The project will bring substantial benefits to the UK and play a vital role in the energy transition.” – Craig Windram, CEO of Ocean Winds
Ocean Winds has become the backbone of the international wind power sector
The firm has an unwavering commitment to maturing the wind power sector, not just in the United Kingdom, but all across the length and breadth of the world. Ocean Winds is the first company to successfully construct and install a semi-submersible floating wind farm. The firm launched the world’s first project in Portugal in 2020.
It should be noted that this is not Ocean Winds’ first wind project in the UK, with the Moray East and Moray West projects’ success making Ocean Winds the largest wind operator in Scotland. Additionally, the firm has projects on the go in France and South Korea, exemplifying the firm’s expertise in wind power projects. The UK’s wind sector has been growing in recent years, as evidenced by GreenVolt’s new 560 MW floating wind project in Scotland.
“This selection offers us the opportunity to strengthen our position in the UK offshore wind market and builds on our delivery experience here, as well as internationally. We are excited to accelerate the development of commercial scale floating offshore wind and keep on delivering clean energy for the country to meet its energy security and Net Zero targets.” – Adam Morrison, UK Country Manager at Ocean Winds
Europe’s proclivity for the wind power sector has been all too evident in recent years
The United Kingdom is not the only European nation that has big plans for the integration and deployment of wind power projects, with Nordex securing a turbine order for a new wind project in Germany. The European embrace and adoption of the wind power sector is set to reach new heights in the years to come. Wind power offers a clean alternative to the generational reliance on the conventional oil and gas sectors, and through substantial projects like the Celtic Sea One, the sector is reaching for the stars.
