A new report from RenewableUK sets out key proposals to enable the operational lifespan of offshore wind farms to be extended.
The report also provides recommendations for developing the best decommissioning options for offshore wind farms.
Several of the earliest offshore wind projects to be built in the UK are nearing the end of their lifespan, the report warns.
The UK risks losing 5GW of offshore wind by 2035, which is one-third of the country’s total offshore capacity.
The report, entitled “Developing effective end-of-life policy frameworks for UK offshore wind”, identifies several recommendations for governments and regulators.
It calls for clearer policies on extending the lifespan of offshore wind farms to get greater value from existing sites.
It also calls for measures to be taken to repower offshore wind farms, including exploring extending leases.
The report says there is a need for clear direction and leadership on decommissioning, including updating the existing guidance to recognise the complexity of the task and to take into account the technical, commercial and environmental challenges which offshore wind farm owners face.
RenewableUK’s policy manager Nick Hibberd, who co-wrote the report, said: “We have a great opportunity to strengthen the UK’s energy security by leveraging existing offshore wind infrastructure – either by extending the lifespan of existing projects or by repowering sites with modern state-of-the-art models.
“Instead of losing offshore wind capacity, we could potentially increase it.
“With greater policy clarity on lifetime extension and repowering, we can ensure that the government achieves its climate targets by maximising our offshore wind capacity, which is the central pillar of our future clean energy system.”
RenewableUK policy manager and report co-author Friederike Andres said: “Policy attention is rightly focusing on building new offshore wind farms.
“However, with originally anticipated average lifespans of 20 to 25 years, the UK’s earliest offshore wind farms are currently entering their final lifespan stage.
“Clear direction and leadership are needed from governments and regulators in developing the best possible decommissioning programme for offshore wind farms, taking full account of the complex technical, commercial and environmental factors involved, as well as enabling us to achieve the best outcomes for the marine biodiversity.”