Shifting Gears – a boost for the UK offshore wind industry

In the first two months of the new Government, a number of significant decisions have been made, which should give a welcome boost to the UK offshore wind industry.

GoBe Consultants’ dedicated post-consent compliance team warmly congratulate all the projects which have today been awarded a CfD in Allocation Round 6 which, with its recently increased budget, should kick start the pre-construction phase of a number of large offshore wind projects.

The Energy System Operator has now published its Celtic Sea Network Design Recommendation. This will enable developers to proceed through the Round 5 Offshore Wind leasing tender rounds with more clarity on the grid connection locations in South Wales and North Devon. Based in the South West, with significant experience of developing offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea region and floating wind projects in Scottish waters, GoBe, part of the APEM Group is perfectly placed to support developers from bid support through consent application and beyond.

Having delivered the Environmental Impact Assessments for five major offshore wind applications in England and Ireland so far this year, GoBe is now supporting a number of clients through the examination stages. GoBe and APEM Group are advising not only on the technical aspects of these applications but also on the changing procedures and process for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning (NSIP) regime in England and Wales, originally introduced by the previous government and which look set to be upheld and further refined by the new Government.

While we await further details on Great British Energy and the role of The Crown Estate in future offshore wind leasing and development, APEM Group is reassured by the impetus and confidence that the new Government and its Mission Control for Clean Energy are injecting into the sector, and will be keeping an eye on updates from Secretary of State Ed Miliband and his ministerial team.

If you would like to discuss how GoBe Consultants and the wider APEM Group can support you in navigating the changes at all stages of major infrastructure development, please get in touch.