The total pipeline of floating offshore wind projects has more than doubled in the last 12 months, new figures have revealed.
A niche technology until relatively recently, floating turbines could soon provide 185GW of capacity worldwide if all planned projects go ahead, up from 91GW a year ago.
The figures, in a report released on 12 October by trade organisation RenewableUK, show that the number of projects has increased globally from 130 to 230.
https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/floating-offshore-wind-pipeline-doubles-in-12-months
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The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), based in Orkney, has concluded concept design for a new 100 MW floating offshore wind test and demonstration site.
EMEC is hoping to secure a lease for a site 20km west of Orkney, further out to sea from its existing wave energy test facility at Billia Croo.
EMEC’s proposed test site will comprise six berths for floating offshore wind turbines of up to 20 MW rated capacity.
With water depths of 80 to 95 metres, large waves and a mean windspeed of 10.7 m/s, the site will offer floating wind developers representative metocean conditions to those in ScotWind, Celtic Seas and future leasing rounds.