EDF Renewables has confirmed it will bring forward phase two of its Blyth Offshore Demonstrator off north-east England as a floating project.
The French developer has kicked off planning work for up to five units totalling up to 58.4MW, as first revealed by subscriber-only reNEWS in December.
Water depths at the site around 14km off Northumberland are 55 metres. It is close to the operational 41.5MW first phase built with gravity base foundations (pictured).
The development timescale for BOD phase two has not yet been finalised. However, subject to detailed programming, the target is for it to be fully commissioned by spring 2025.
“The turbines to be installed in the BOD Phase two project will be constructed on floating sub structures,” said EDF.
“The project has yet to select the key contractors including the turbine supplier but a range of floating technology options are being considered, with the final design still to be determined by further detailed engineering studies.”
EDF Renewables director of offshore wind Michele Schiavone said: “With the Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism providing a potential route to market, we are confident that floating turbine technology can accelerate the UK’s journey to a net zero future where clean energy powers all our lives. We will use the project to support the further development of this emerging technology.”
RenewableUK’s Head of Policy and Regulation Rebecca Williams welcomed the confirmation.
“This is one of the first floating offshore wind projects in English waters to be announced. It will build on the success of our world-leading floating wind farms already generating off the coast of Scotland,” she said.
“Further projects are being planned in Scotland and Wales. The more floating wind we install in UK waters, the cheaper it will become– and we can build up our supply chain and export our innovative technology worldwide. We need to maximise the use of this technology to reach net zero emissions as fast as possible.”