A new report from ORE Catapult’s Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence has outlined potential future pathways to develop critical port infrastructure and manufacturing centres to support the deployment of UK floating wind.
The study provides both an assessment of the current challenges facing port infrastructure in relation to floating wind, as well as options for overcoming those challenges and helping the UK tap into the economic potential on offer.
It outlines some of the key challenges linked to securing major infrastructure investments.
The report also provides potential pathways and models which could be used to facilitate the significant private sector investment required to support floating wind deployment to 2030 and beyond.
This includes identifying existing barriers to investment for UK port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities relevant to floating wind in the UK.
The report also recommends understanding the key factors affecting the competitiveness of UK ports and co-location manufactured facilities, in the international context.
Finally, it examines the options to develop and implement ways to reduce the risk associated with large scale port investment in the country.
Programme manager for ORE Catapult’s Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence Andrew Stormonth-Darling said: “This is an extremely important piece of work in bringing together key stakeholders to examine some of the ways the floating wind and port sectors can come together to find pathways to securing crucial infrastructure for future floating offshore wind aspirations.
“We hope that the pathways we have identified can help policymakers to move forward and create the type of investment environment we need.
“Given the timescales involved, and the scale of the undertaking, we know that action is needed fast if we are to feel the full economic benefits of this exciting new technology.”
Chief executive of the British Ports Association Richard Ballantyne added: “Floating offshore wind is a once in a generation opportunity and the UK ports industry wants to be pivotal in its delivery.
“However, there are a number of market and policy challenges we need to overcome to allow ports to invest in the infrastructure and facilities that will be required.
“This report is an important first step in considering these challenges.
“It will promote a debate with policy makers over how the sector helps deliver the UK’s offshore wind aspirations and how we ensure that energy developers base their activities and jobs in our ports and coastal regions.”