Vattenfall is currently the owner of the second largest fleet of offshore wind farms in the world and is also one half of a joint venture partnership to develop the 7.2GW East Anglia Zone. It has invested more than £1 million to join the OWA and partner with other leading wind farm developers which currently have 60% of licensed offshore wind capacity in UK waters.
The OWA involves nine UK wind farm developers and is aimed at identifying and commercialising innovations to dramatically reduce the costs of offshore wind.
“By signing up with the OWA earlier this month Vattenfall is demonstrating its commitment to delivering UK offshore wind potential and significant cost reduction” said Jens Madsen, Head of Wind Power Research and Development at Vattenfall. “We have been impressed by the strategic alliances that are being forged across the UK to ensure that offshore wind plays a key role in achieving renewable energy targets and more reliable and affordable power for British consumers. It is important that Vattenfall builds on its already extensive research and development programme by being part of the OWA.”
The OWA is a joint project originally set up in 2008 with member organisations such as E.ON, DONG Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power, RWE Innogy, ScottishPower Renewables, SSE Renewables, Statkraft and Statoil alongside Vattenfall. The objective is to reduce the cost of offshore wind by 10% by 2015 through both desk-based and demonstration projects which the OWA hopes will commercialise innovative ideas in time for use on UK Round 3 wind farms.
“Bringing down the cost of offshore wind is an absolute priority for the industry” said Phil de Villiers, Head of Offshore Wind at the Carbon Trust. “We believe that industry collaboration on key innovation projects that offer scope for dramatic cost reduction is the best way to go. We are therefore delighted that Vattenfall has decided to join the OWA and bring their significant experience and commitment to helping solve some of the innovation challenges facing the offshore wind industry.”
Further information:
