Offshore Wind Consultants (OWC) is launching an advisory service to help developers of US offshore wind farms navigate regulatory frameworks and permitting/approval processes to help get projects approved.
The service will address regulatory and related issues at the federal, state, and local levels.
The engineering consultancy said its regulatory team will guide developers through “critical planning and outreach to execute project-specific strategies that focus on key elements of successful permitting, including robust pre-planning and consultations”.
OWC business development director John MacAskill said: “We provide extensive engineering and technical experience from offshore wind farm developments, coupled with understanding the specific regulatory framework that developers need to adhere to.”
According to MacAskill this experience facilitates a service that considers all technical project requirements and constraints when defining an appropriate project permitting scope and execution strategy.
“This local experience is supported by a global team of offshore wind experts ensuring that the specific nature of offshore wind development and project realisation is part of the solution we provide clients,” he said.
Offshore wind projects will need to pay special attention to detail and process when it comes to individual state and regional planning and permitting, according to OWC.
The consultancy suggests developers will also need to monitor for potential bottlenecks at agency level as a consequence of increased demand for agency resources and staff from other projects.
Adrienne Fink, who heads up OWC’s Boston office in the US said: “Simply explained, we will help developers understand how these processes may affect project schedules.
“On the other side, we will help improve regulators comfort level in making well-informed assessments and providing necessary approvals.”
OWC is part of Oslo-listed energy consultancy group Aqualis, an independent engineering consultancy focused on offshore renewables.