Finished wind turbines from the Kincardine floating wind farm being towed into place | Credit: Statkraft, Cobra Group
Analysts estimate European Marine Energy Centre's proposed test site could offer substantial economic benefits and help wind developers test new technologies
A proposed 100MW floating offshore wind test and demonstration site off the coast of Orkney, Scotland, could provide an estimated £690m boost to the UK economy, according to a new analysis from the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).
EMEC, which is based in Orkney and has played a leading role in the testing of a host of marine energy technologies, first announced plans for the new test site last year and is currently looking to secure a lease for the proposed 100MW project.
Based around 20km west of Orkney, the site would offering wind developers from around the world a platform to test new floating wind turbine technologies, prove performance, and de-risk projects, while also helping the UK meet its target to develop 5GW floating offshore wind by 2030
EMEC's plans for the proposed test site comprise six individual berths to accommodate floating offshore wind turbines with up to 20MW of rated capacity. Four of the six berths will be grid-connected, while an additional two berths will be reserved for 'power-to-X' applications.
EMEC said the test site could be used by wind farm developers to test components, such as moorings, turbines, and floating structures in a real world offshore environment.
EMEC instructed analysts from BiGGAR Economics to calculate the benefits the site could generate for the UK economy. It calculated that the site has the potential to generate £690m of gross value add (GVA) to the economy, £442m of which it said would accrue in Scotland. Analysts also estimated the site could create as many as 4,160 jobs in the UK, 2,220 of which would be in Scotland during the project's expected 25-year lifetime.
Graeme Blackett, director at BiGGAR Economics, said that the potential economic benefits of the test centre "highlights the strategic economic role the centre will play, providing a real-world testing and demonstration facility, encouraging innovation and accelerating deployment of floating offshore wind".
Matthew Finn, EMEC's commercial director, said that establishing the test centre would also help cement the UK's position as a first mover in offshore energy technologies and encourage international companies to establish themselves in the UK.
"The UK government set very clear ambitions of 5 GW floating offshore wind by 2030 with estimates that could deliver a GVA of £43.6bn to the UK," he added.
"The development of a floating wind test site aligns with the British Energy Security Strategy which outlines a clear need for continued support for R&D to drive through the commercialisation of technologies, bring down costs and provide assurance to investors regarding the viability of an emerging technology."
