SSE Renewables has called for a series of “enabling” offshore wind policy actions from the UK government, warning that a “business as usual” approach will not deliver 40GW of installed capacity by 2030.
The developer said an increase in “capabilities and cooperation” across government departments is needed to allow annual deployment rates hit up to 4GW from 2025 to reach the goal, which is based on a Conservative manifesto promise and up from last year’s 30GW sector deal vision.
“Business as usual is not an option,” SSE stated on Wednesday as it released a nine-point roadmap on how it believes 40GW can be reached.
“To this effect, we suggest that a delivery plan is developed, building on the Offshore Wind Sector Deal but ensuring that it is fit for achieving 40GW.”
SSE Renewables director of capital projects Paul Cooley said: “We have always believed that the offshore wind industry can achieve more and welcomed the UK government’s manifesto commitment to increase the offshore wind target to 40GW by 2030, but now we need to turn targets into action plans.
“Some of the current offshore wind projects have taken a decade to develop. These timelines will absolutely not work for the ramp up in offshore wind needed.
“Our roadmap set outs nine clear actions needed to ensure we don’t look back with regret in 2030 to see that we didn’t take the steps needed to achieve the 40GW target.”
Annual Contract for Difference rounds, more regular and increased seabed leasing volumes and a strategy for floating technology are among the recommendations in the blueprint.
SSE also called for the removal of barriers to the consenting process, reform of the electricity market design and finding a more efficient way to develop grid infrastructure, which will be needed to integrate new offshore wind capacity.
SSE also called for deeper cross-departmental collaboration and resources to mitigate aviation radar constraints, strategic investment to support the development of the supply chain in the UK and geographical diversity of the wind fleet.
Cooley added: “While everyone across government, industry and business is rightly focused on the here-and-now of dealing with coronavirus, it is important we continue to do all we can to deliver the low-carbon energy infrastructure we need to address the continuing climate emergency, which remains as profound and present as it was two months ago.
“Delivering 40GW of offshore wind will be the backbone of the UK’s net zero energy system, but we need vital enabling actions to meet this new 2030 target.
“If we fail to remove the barriers to deployment now, we risk failing to achieve 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 and in turn our over-riding net zero 2050 target.”
He added: “The nine-point action plan published by SSE Renewables today sets out an achievable roadmap that will see the UK overcoming current barriers and setting the country on a course to delivering 40GW by 2030.”