The Year Of Ocean Wind

2017: a breakthrough year for offshore wind energy

David Foxwell, 19 December 2017 (Offshore Wind Journal)

“2017 will undoubtedly be remembered as a landmark year for the offshore wind energy industry…[T]he cost of energy from offshore wind fell steeply [to below £60/MWh and more] powerful turbines continued to be brought to market, with still larger units in development…[M]ore and more countries became interested in building offshore windfarms…[and] the world’s first floating offshore windfarm entered service…2017 was also a year in which offshore wind’s ability to help regenerate manufacturing and create employment was finally recognised. As a result, 2018 will, it is anticipated, be the year in which in the UK offshore wind gets a ‘sector deal’ as part of the government’s industrial strategy, a kind of partnership between government and industry that, it is hoped, can boost productivity, employment, innovation and skills…[C]hallenges remain: 2017 was also a year in which the industry woke up to the challenge of operations and maintenance. Given its fast pace of growth, with more and more turbines in operation and in need of maintenance, new ways of providing O&M are required…” click here for more

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