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The European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) in Orkney, Scotland, will start to deliver the DeepWind facility during a new 18-month project, it announced today (27 January).
Turbine installation in deep waters could allow energy companies to work further from shore, enabling access to stronger and more consistent winds. As UK projects expand into deeper waters, developers require a representative environment to prove, refine and de‑risk technologies – but existing test sites across Europe lack the necessary metocean conditions for upcoming installations, Emec said. To address that gap, the centre has identified a site 20km west of Orkney with “ideal” water depths, seabed conditions and wind speeds.
The £500,000 project will complete the feasibility, design scoping and industry engagement stages to confirm infrastructure requirements. It will also consider logistical and operational needs, to ensure connectivity to ports. Emec will continue environmental scoping and early-stage survey work, including monitoring of birds and mammals.
Backed by 50% match funding through the Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator, the DeepWind test site is aimed at attracting investment and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind innovation.
“The Crown Estate’s Accelerator funding enables us to move decisively from concept to delivery planning for our deepwater wind test site. During the project, we aim to progress leasing and grid connection applications, and will initiate some of the longest lead environmental studies, moving us towards full consenting and front-end engineering design,” said Mark Hamilton, Emec operations and technology director.
“The key outcome will be a robust investment case for phased development of the test site. We will be running a series of engagement exercises over the coming months to gather insight from developers, OEMs, insurers, investors, regulators and community groups, and I encourage interested parties to get in touch with us for more detail on how they can help shape the future of UK offshore wind testing.”
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