Floating turbines could bring jobs

A new study to assess the potential for new jobs and development of a global industry based on floating wind farms is being carried out in Scotland.

It follows the world’s first floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland, sited off the northeast coast, starting to produce energy in October last year.

The £50,000 project, by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, is being led by Crown Estate Scotland, with partners including industry body Scottish Renewables and the Offshore Wind Industry Council.

Head of insights for the project Gavin Smart said: “Innovations in turbine foundations and the development of floating wind technologies are key to opening up enormous new wind resources in expanses of water too deep for conventional, bottom-fixed farms. This, in turn, creates huge economic opportunities for Scottish companies to capitalise on this emerging market, both here in Scotland and through the export of skills and technologies globally.”

Three further test and demonstration projects are already in the pipeline in Scotland, with planning consent and seabed rights.