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This will be one of the first floating wind projects in English waters. The new turbines will add to five fixed-bottom turbines with a generating capacity of 41.5MW. The wind farm, off the coast of Northumberland, has consent for a maximum capacity of 99.9MW.
Floating wind is a hugely promising new source of energy. It could enable installations in deeper water further from shore, tapping previously inaccessible wind energy.
“This is one of the first floating offshore wind projects in English waters to be announced,” said Rebecca Williams from trade association RenewableUK. “It will build on the success of our world-leading floating wind farms already generating off the coast of Scotland. Further projects are being planned in Scotland and Wales.”
The head of policy and regulation added: “The more floating wind we install in UK waters, the cheaper it will become – and we can build up our supply chain and export our innovative technology worldwide. We need to maximise the use of this technology to reach net-zero emissions as fast as possible.
“As the landmark report published by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult this week shows, floating wind can repeat the success of fixed-bottom offshore wind by becoming subsidy-free within a decade, which is good news for consumers as well as for the environment."
Up to five new turbines will be installed on floating substructures at the Blyth farm. The turbine supplier has not been announced, but EDF Renewables said “a range of floating technology options are being considered”. The company said it is working closely with suppliers and organisations including the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Michele Schiavone, director for offshore wind at EDF Renewables, said: “We are very excited about this next phase of the Blyth project and want to further the demonstration of construction and operation of floating turbines to show that floating wind is technically feasible and cost competitive in water depths of 50-60m.
“With the Contract for Difference mechanism providing a potential route to market, we are confident that floating turbine technology can accelerate the UK’s journey to a net-zero future where clean energy powers all our lives. We will use the project to support the further development of this emerging technology.”
The firm said it hopes the floating phase of the Blyth wind farm will be fully commissioned by spring 2025.
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