More offshore wind capacity than previously envisaged is likely to be required to meet the UK’s net zero emissions target for 2050, according to the government.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) made the statement in an update one year on from the unveiling of the Sector Deal with the offshore wind industry.
BEIS said the renewable energy sector, especially offshore wind, will have a major role in helping the UK achieve the net zero goal.
It said: “The government will work with the sector and other stakeholders to build upon the strong foundations of this Sector Deal to accelerate sustainable deployment up to 2030.”
The UK government increased the country’s 2030 target for offshore wind to 40GW from 30GW in December last year.
But, BEIS said, “we will also look to be even more ambitious.”
It said: “We will also work with the sector to prepare for the 2030s and 2040s, for example by enabling new innovations such as floating offshore wind and hybrid projects.”
BEIS added that the Sector Deal is “progressing well and on track”.
In 2020, a number of milestones for the deal have been set, including the launch of an innovation programme and strategic capability assessments in June.
September will see the launch of a revision of the local content methodology, BEIS said.
BEIS added that it has also set up a joint wind farm mitigation task force between industry and the Ministry of Defence that will look at issues raised by air traffic control radar.