Offshore wind sector suppliers have called on the industry to work together to secure opportunities for the domestic supply chain, and criticised projects for which work has already been sent abroad.
By Brian Thumath, partner, energy transactions, Pinsent Masons
Following the results of Round 4 and ScotWind, it is clear that joint ventures will continue to be fundamental to delivering large-scale offshore wind projects.
Scotwind will see billions of pounds invested into Scotland’s offshore wind supply sector, although, for Hamish, the news came just as he was trying to have lunch.
BP has announced plans to invest £18 billion in the UK energy system by 2030, with the North Sea at its heart, days after calls were once again raised for an oil and gas windfall tax.
By Professor Paul de Leeuw, director of RGU's Energy Transition Institute
Only six months ago, the spotlight of the world was firmly on COP26 in Glasgow as the defining moment for the world to keep ‘1.5 alive’. For a brief period, the world was united around a common goal to protect the planet from the worst impact of climate change.
Kishorn Port has been confirmed as an EU-approved site for shipbreaking, paving the way for the site to take on new decommissioning work following a multi-million pound extension of drydock facilities.
A former government minister has called on the SNP to use a recent £700 million windfall from the ScotWind round to buy up land across Scotland to protect it from the new “green lairds”.
A senior figure at energy services giant Petrofac (LON: PFC) has challenged the energy supply chain to earn its right to secure work on low carbon schemes.
ScotWind will present a valuable learning experience for the emergent floating wind sector and the supply chain, but expectations must be managed carefully, according to one marine engineering consultancy.
Crown Estate Scotland (CES) has issued its second statement to ensure that winners of the ScotWind offshore leasing round are complying with sanctions on Russia.
Scottish Power and Shell will provide £75 million in supply chain funding to support development of three floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind projects.
Scotland’s net zero and energy secretary has issued a clear reminder to the offshore wind industry that supply chain pledges are more than simply “indications”.
The North Sea is a very busy place. But even as late as the 1980s, it could seem huge when out there in a yacht, racing or cruising because sightings of fishing vessels, merchant shipping and oil & gas platforms could be quite rare.
The UK’s offshore energy industry is aware it has a major opportunity to drive a very positive future – both for the UK economy and its energy mix alike.