The next phase of growth for the 海角视频’s world-leading offshore wind industry has been launched, with the first seabed leasing round in a decade being opened up by The Crown Estate.
Up to 8.5GW of green energy infrastructure will emerge, creating hundreds more jobs and providing a long-term supply chain certainty, with four huge zones unveiled in which developers will be given the opportunity to establish the best sites.
The Humber, already leading the charge with the world’s largest offshore wind farm virtually complete, and a successor about to emerge, is central to the two largest regions, stretching from the North East to Suffolk, while smaller areas have also been confirmed for the South East and North West.
To ensure geographic diversity, a limit of 3.5GW has been established for each. It is described as a “robust pipeline for low-cost offshore wind deployment” with a minimum of 7GW deployment forecast. It is part of the push for a 33 per cent share of energy generation by 2030.
Huub den Rooijen, director of energy, minerals and infrastructure at The Crown Estate, said: “The story of offshore wind in the 海角视频 is a remarkable one, and the best is yet to come.
“From a standing start at the turn of the millennium, the sector has delivered unprecedented levels of growth, with government, industry and stakeholders working in partnership to realise a four-fold increase in capacity in the last ten years.
“Round Four heralds the next significant chapter in the story – our first leasing round in nearly a decade – offering the opportunity for at least 7GW of new offshore wind projects to be developed in the waters around England and Wales.”
He told how it will help meet industry appetite and Government policy, while balancing the range of interests in the marine environment.
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Three years of work has gone into the process to far, with zones that now make up the bidding areas carefully identified.
Mr den Rooijen said: “We launch Round Four at an important juncture in the decarbonisation of the 海角视频’s economy, with the recent legislation to enshrine a ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 demonstrating a powerful national commitment to tackle climate change. In the energy sector, this sets the 海角视频 on a trajectory to ramp-up the deployment of renewables, with offshore wind, now well proven at scale and low cost, taking centre-stage.
“Significant new capacity is anticipated over the coming decades, to replace fossil fuels coming off the system and also to meet new sources of electricity demand as our economy transitions. We will support this important journey through the rights we are making available as part of Round 4 and, beyond this, we stand ready to facilitate future development opportunities too, in line with market demand and policy need.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the industry and stakeholders to help unlock the extraordinary potential of the 海角视频’s seabed, in support of the nation’s continued clean energy transition.”
It comes as the latest subsidy auction results were revealed for remaining Round Three sites, with a £65 million pot to cover off an additional 6GW.
A will take place next month in London. Invitations to tender are anticipated for next spring, with lease agreements in autumn 2021.