A group of technology developers and associations have founded the Friends of Floating Offshore Wind to promote the interests of the sector in UK.
The founder members are Atkins, Pilot Offshore Renewables, Ideol, Hexicon, Gicon, Principle Power, Glosten PelaStar, ACS Cobra, RES Offshore and Floating Power Plant.
The members will first direct activities towards creation of support primarily at the governments in Scotland and Westminster.
They have identified several key requirements for both demonstration and pilot projects.
These requirements include improving the consenting process, setting up a support mechanism, as well as introducing regulations that allow for the preferential reservation and connection of demonstration projects to the electricity grid.
Atkins delivery director for offshore wind Andy Thompson said: “Atkins has extensive experience in floating wind, having played a major role in more than half a dozen of these projects around the world.
“Naturally we are keen to see floating wind move from demonstration to commercial viability, so we’re pleased to be working with so many of the big names in the industry to continue to push forward the development of floating wind across the UK.”
Image: Gicon
