While environmental organisations have broadly welcomed a change in tone from the government over renewable energy, there are now concerns the rapid roll-out of large new wind farms could affect vulnerable seabirds. The RSPB has warned that without positioning new wind farms in ways which have as little impact as possible on nature, the thousands of new turbines could add to the existing pressures already affecting some species. Despite other media reports saying the RSPB was warning that “puffins will be driven to extinction”, by wind power, the organisation confirmed to The Independent it is backing new wind farms, but was concerned about how leases are granted to developers.
Independent 15th Oct 2020 read more »
The government’s plans to drastically increase the UK’s offshore wind capacity received a setback today, after the Crown Estate announced it was pushing back the timetable for awarding the next round of leases for offshore wind developers. The agency, which is tasked with managing the UK seabed, announced it has updated the timeline for the Round 4 Leasing Round that is expected to deliver around 7GW of new offshore wind capacity, making a major contribution to the government’s target of having 40GW in place by 2030. The Crown Estate said it had previously expected successful Round 4 projects to be awarded agreements for lease in 2021. But the new timetable means it now expects that awards are likely to take place in spring 2022, subject to the outcome of Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs). The hope is that once consented through the statutory planning process, Round 4 projects could still begin generating clean power before the end of the decade.
Business Green 15th Oct 2020 read more »
Crown Estate delays UK offshore wind round after PM’s ‘green industrial revolution’ pledge. ScotWind, announced in June as the first wind leasing round for the Scottish seabed in a decade, is a separate process and not expected to be impacted, said Crown Estate Scotland, which is a separate body.
Energy Voice 15th Oct 2020 read more »
AFife firm that developed a safer access system for personnel to use on offshore wind turbines has landed a multi-million pound contract. Pict Offshore developed a motion compensated personnel hoist allowing technicians to transfer on and off turbines without the need for access ladders and boat landing metalwork on the bases of turbines. Green energy firm Orsted signed the deal which will see Pict Offshore’s Get Up Safe (GUS) motion-compensated lifting system deployed at the Hornsea Two offshore wind farm. Each system will be manufactured at the firm’s Inverkeithing facility. With 165 wind turbines, the Hornsea Two will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm on completion in 2022.
Dundee Courier 16th Oct 2020 read more »
Herald 16th Oct 2020 read more »
Sheffield manufacturer plugs into UK bid to be world leader in offshore wind power
A Sheffield manufacturing company has secured a £300,000 grant to plug into the UK drive to be world leader in offshore wind power. Magnomatics will supply its ‘Pseudo Direct Drive’ to the Winder project which aims to perfect the technology required for making large generators for turbines at sea.
Sheffield Star 16th Oct 2020 read more »