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www.metoc.co.uk re News Part of the Petrofac group www.tnei.co.uk RENEWABLE ENERGY NEWS • ISSUE 226 27 OCTOBER 2011 TAG on for Teesside spoils TAG Energy Solutions is in negotiations for a contract to fabricate and deliver a “significant” proportion of Reunification monopiles for the Teesside offshore wind farm. PAGE 2 Middlemoor winning hand in south Wales Vestas is in pole position to land a plum supply RWE npower renewables with Nordex for 14 N90 middle when two contract at one of the largest remaining onshore has thrown in the towel 2.5MW units and has landowners decided in wind farms in England, RWE npower renewables’ at an 11-turbine wind roped Powersystems UK 2005 to proceed instead 18-turbine Middlemoor project in Northumberland. farm in south Wales and to oversee electrical with Pennant. offloaded the asset to works. Parent company Years of wrangling PAGE 3 local developer Pennant Walters Group will take ensued between Walters. care of civil engineering. environmental regulators Huhne hits the high notes The utility sold the The 35MW project is due and planners in Bridgend Energy secretary Chris Huhne took aim at “faultfinders consented four-turbine online by early 2013. and Rhondda Cynon Taf and curmudgeons who hold forth on the impossibility portion of its Fforch Nest The reunification of who were keen to see of renewables” in a strongly worded keynote address project in Bridgend and Fforch Nest and Pant-y- the projects rationalised to RenewableUK 2011 in Manchester this week. is in line to divest the Wal brings to an end a using a shared access remaining seven units if decade-long struggle and grid connection. PAGE 4 approved at public inquiry. between rival developers Bridgend council Pennant is incorporating and landowners at an eventually approved all Thanet cables swap job Fforch Nest into its upland plot straddling a 14 turbines in its Red7Marine is gearing up to replace two inter-array neighbouring 10-turbine local authority boundary jurisdiction in 2009 but cables at the 300MW Thanet offshore wind farm Pant-y-Wal scheme and in Ogmore Vale. the planning conditions originally installed by the now-defunct Subocean. has already reached Fforch Nest was imposed on Pant-y-Wal PAGE 5 financial close with originally developed as a and Fforch Nest were Lloyds TSB to build out single farm by RWE’s said to be too onerous to Rebuilding UK supports the first 14 machines. predecessor National be co-ordinated by two Government unveils plans to trim wind sector’s sails The Welsh developer Wind Power but the site developers with but give marine energy development a long-sought has signed a contract was split down the separate sets of 3 leg-up in its Renewables Obligation banding review. NEWS FOCUS STARTS ON PAGE 6 SSE pulls Ballast for West Islay bid the plug on Independent renewables developer DP Energy has Waterhead teamed up with Rolls-Royce TGL to pursue a 30MW SSE Renewables has tidal energy array off West Islay in the Western Isles. spiked plans to build a PAGE 72.5MW wind farm at 13 Waterhead Moor in North Ayrshire. Installation vessel new tack The utility said the A2Sea and partner Teekay are finalising designs for a site near Largs faced “a next-generation jacket installation vessel that could range of construction hit the market in the first quarter of 2014. and planning challenges” PAGE 14 and was complicated by Mabey Bridge in the saddle its post-application The first completed turbine tower sections to leave Wales chorus of disapproval designation as a special Mabey Bridge’s £38m manufacturing facility in The Welsh government has come under a barrage of protection area. Chepstow have been delivered and installed in South criticism for its onshore wind track record at the SSE originally applied Yorkshire. A dozen sections were erected at Banks National Assembly’s ongoing energy inquiry. to build Waterhead in Renewables’ 8MW Marr wind farm on behalf of PAGE 17 2004. It then replaced turbine supplier Repower. Photo: Mabey Bridge those plans with an

Renewable energy consultants evolved design in 2010. “Having listened to the concerns of the key consultees we (decided) end-to-end solutions for the to focus elsewhere,” renewable energy industry said director of onshore renewables Dave Gardner. Technical by nature... 2 offshore reNews 27 October 2011 Deep Diver standing tall for return to Kentish Flats Double grid Fugro Seacore has good progress prior to steel leg section sheared incident and has now completed repairs on its this with about two- when the jack-up barge engaged experts to tie-in deal jack-up barge Deep Diver thirds completed,” said was raising its four advise on how to after an accident at Kentish Flats extension supporting legs. proceed,” said Loman. for Dogger Vattenfall’s proposed project manager Goran The severed section Separately, Vattenfall Kentish Flats offshore Loman. remains embedded 1.5 submitted its pre- Bank zone wind farm extension. “Deep Diver… will metres below the application for the up to Forewind has signed two The 30-metre vessel return to the area to seabed. 51MW extension to the 1GW network connection lost part of a leg while continue surveys shortly “Vattenfall has Infrastructure Planning offers with National Grid carrying out geotechnical with the work due to be informed the Marine Commission. for projects planned for surveys at the site but is completed towards the Management The IPC will decide the 9GW Dogger Bank now ready to leave end of October and early Organisation, the Port of whether to validate the offshore wind Round 3 Lowestoft harbour. November.” London Authority and application by the zone. “The survey had made He explained that a the Crown Estate of the middle of next month. The consortium said that, subject to technical studies, the TAG in frame to share Briefs links would be located at • Seaway Heavy Lifting an existing substation at has been awarded a Lackenby near Teesside monopile job foundation installation Middlesborough in TAG Energy Solutions is job would be TAG’s first wind farm’s 27 Siemens contract at the Riffgat Teesside. in negotiations with significant fabrication 2.3MW turbines are wind farm off Germany. The offers are in Dutch company SIF to contract since it opened expected to be fully The company will tackle addition to a 1GW grid fabricate and deliver a its £20m, 6920 square- operational by end-2012. monopiles at EWE and offer already signed for “significant” proportion metre fabrication facility TAG has meanwhile Enova’s 30-turbine a connection at the of monopiles for the at the end of September. joined 18 other project next summer. Creyke Beck substation Teesside offshore wind Contractor Van Oord companies to form local Riffgat will feature in the East Riding of farm. selected SIF to supply supply chain initiative Siemens 3.6MW turbines Yorkshire. Talks over a sub- the 62MW wind farm’s Energi Coast. at a site some 15km off Forewind head of contract for the north- monopiles earlier this The renewables group the island of Borkum. electrical systems David east England outfit to month. features MPI Offshore, Water depths are up to Flood said the Dogger produce some of the Dutch company JDR Cables, Tata Steel 23 metres. partners “will now be project’s 27 foundations Smulders was awarded and Heerema, among able to proceed with are expected to the contract to others. • Transmission operator determining the conclude in the near manufacture the It was set up to TenneT has kicked off optimum onshore cable future, sources said. transition pieces. ensure the region wins initial permitting for the routes and coastal cable One added the deal is A2Sea jack-up vessel its fair share of the Borwin 3 and Dolwin 3 landfall points to “right on the cusp” of Sea Jack will install the supply chain market as next-generation grid connect the two 1GW being finalised. foundations in the first the UK moves towards connections in the offshore wind farms to If secured the half of next year. The Round 3. German North Sea. the electricity network”. Marine round-up

• Marine renewables is wave and tidal will be made available for to gain the full level of new board of directors. to receive a £35m cash “improve capability and supply chain ROCs available”, which The company, whose injection from the infrastructure.” development. requires state aid 80-tonne demonstration Scottish government, The government will approval. unit capsized and sank including an £18m fund consult with industry • Hammerfest Strom has off Southwold in 2009, is to support the roll-out of over the nature of kicked off subsea cable • Wave developer developing a direct drive early arrays. projects to be supported works at the European Trident Energy has system to harness wave Holyrood’s largest by the £18m pot. Marine Energy Centre’s relocated from Suffolk to energy at the base of ever commitment to Additional resources will Fall of Warness tidal test Glasgow and appointed a offshore wind turbines. site in Orkney ahead of a Shipping 1MW turbine installation. Handling • DECC will seek European approval to Transport allow marine energy projects to access both Renewable Obligation certificates and capital support. Route surveying The department wants T: +44 1422 255233 Reporting for EIA’s recipients of the planned E: [email protected] Swept path analysis £20m Marine Energy I: www.collett.co.uk ‘Test drive’ of routes Array Demonstrator Supporting Offshore Wind Project management (MEAD) fund to “be able www.bnoffshore.com 27 October 2011 reNews news 3 Double grid Briefs Vestas winning hand tie-in deal • Maritime technology new 40kW PowerBuoy for company SMD has installation at its at 54MW Middlemoor for Dogger teamed up with Blade Santoña wave site in Vestas is in pole position another month. Delivery Obligation period. Bank zone Offshore Services to northern Spain in late to land a plum supply is scheduled for August. Middlemoor is the second develop an alternative to 2012, subject to offshore contract at one of the Morrison Construction largest of more than 50 monopile and gravity consents. largest remaining has been awarded the wind farms in England foundations for wave, onshore wind farms in civil engineering job at rushing to build out next tidal and wind devices. • Aquamarine Power has England. Middlemoor and is year and lock into a Joint venture roped technology Contracts are being expected to begin whole RO certificate company SMD-BORD will company Kongsberg drawn up for the Danish preliminary works before the subsidy is cut manufacture a subsea Maritime to carry out manufacturer to provide imminently. by 10% (see pages 6-9). drilling rig at SMD in underwater noise V90 machines to RWE Like many other Elsewhere, Vestas is Wallsend featuring assessments during npower renewables’ developers, RWE is in the frame to supply unique drilling installation and 18-turbine Middlemoor gunning to commission 2MW turbines to Nuon technology developed by operation of the Oyster project in Northumberland. and register the up to Renewables’ 22MW BOS. SMD said initial dry wave converter in Negotiations with the 54MW wind farm with Swinford wind farm in tests on the drill cutter Orkney. preferred supplier are regulator Ofgem before Leicestershire, where are due to begin shortly. underway and will the April 2013 deadline for Siemens was previously • The Ministry of continue for at least the current Renewables favourite. • Natural Power has Defence has objected to finalised an evolved Wind Prospect’s 18MW 3D radar Solar FiT subsidy in slicer design for its floating Thornholme Field wind Solar PV suppliers and to falling costs, said lidar system SeaZephir project in the East installers are bracing sources. These have and is actively marketing Riding of Yorkshire. spin-off themselves for an been precipitated by a the device to potential Cambridge Consultants is imminent and further spike in installations offshore wind customers. • Wind Prospect’s spinning out its 3D major reduction in the generated by the arrival Partner company SeaRoc 15-turbine Breaker Hill holographic radar feed-in tariff subsidy. of the FiT. is taking point on wind farm was business into standalone The government is Solar is said to installation and recommended for refusal company Aveillant. expected to unveil an account for 93% of all commissioning of the ahead of last night’s The spin-off will be accelerated plan shortly registered FiT schemes device. planning committee at supported by venture to slash the payment for and is eating up the Two European clients South Ayrshire council. capital outfit DFJ Esprit sub-50kW projects by “budget” placed on the are looking at deploying and the wind industry around 50% in response overall tariff. the technology with • EnergieKontor has led Aviation Investment contracts expected to be unveiled plans for five Fund Company Ltd. Reunificationat Welsh site confirmed in the near turbines at Longhorsley Initial system planning sub-contractors. second largest operational future. in Northumberland. and design for the 1 Industry sources wind farm in Wales after turbine mitigation said the burdensome the 58.5MW Cefn Croes. • PNE Wind has submitted • Peel Energy has reduced solution have already logistics drove RWE to Nordex would be a a planning application to its proposed Blue Sky been carried out south give up the scheme. likely candidate for the build a 10-turbine wind Forest wind farm in of Prestwick Airport. The Rhondda Cynon Taf second phase but no farm at Brunta Hill in the Northumberland to 13 new company was rejected the seven units contractual agreements Scottish Borders. The turbines in response to formed in the wake of belonging to RWE late are in place. company is hoping to public feedback. results from that process. last year. These are Elsewhere, Nordex install 2.3MW hardware Discussions are subject of an ongoing has landed a deal to with tip heights at the • Darlington Borough already underway with a appeal and will be sold supply two N100 turbines site near Westruther set Council has approved number of developers to Pennant if sanctioned. to Wind Direct’s Eye at 126.5 metres. Banks Renewables’ about potential use of As a result, Pant-y- Airfield wind farm in resubmitted 15MW Moor the system. Wal/Fforch Nest could Suffolk. The contract is • Ocean Power Technologies House wind farm in eventually host 21 thought to be the first is planning to build a County Durham. Little Raith turbines and become the UK outing for the model. debut for GE Turbine Transfers GE has been awarded a A division of Holyhead Towing Offshore wind farm workboats contract to supply 2.75MW turbines to Kennedy Renewables’ Safe, Fast & Reliable 24.75MW Little Raith wind farm in Fife. The deal, first reported in reNews in May, will mark the model’s European debut. Statkraft has signed a www.turbinetransfers.co.uk power purchase deal for [email protected] tel: 0044 1407 760111 all of the farm’s output. www.windcatworkboats.com 4 news reNews 27 October 2011 RENEWABLE UK 2011 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION Huhne comes out with all guns Ministerial asides... blazing for an energy revolution • Energy secretary Chris Energy secretary Chris responsible for recent MORI poll that found 73% develop and publicise Huhne reported the Huhne has thrown himself energy price hikes and of respondents would new ways of rewarding successful installation of wholeheartedly into a pointed out that fossil favour a new wind farm those communities most Smart Wind’s “renewables revolution” fuel subsidies outstrip in their area as opposed affected by development”. groundbreaking Hornsea and struck out at climate those for renewables “by to 21% for a new coal He said government twisted jacket met mast. change deniers and a factor of five”. plant, and declared his listened to the The DECC secretary anti-wind lobbyists. He emphasised the own personal support for renewables industry in said of the hardware, The Liberal Democrat benefits of price stability the sector. drawing up plans for supported by the minister took aim at by harnessing indigenous “Industry must carry electricity market Offshore Wind “faultfinders and resources and set out the on making the case for reform. Auctioning will Accelerator programme: curmudgeons who hold opportunities for renewables, engaging not feature in the “This kind of innovation forth on the impossibility economic growth and with communities and “near-term future” but will bring down the cost of renewables” in a jobs from a revolution he answering its critics by remains a “longer term of offshore wind faster.” strongly worded keynote believes “has already delivering renewable possibility”. The mast was address to RenewableUK begun”. schemes that save money R-UK chief executive designed by US company 2011 in Manchester. He said: “Renewable and save carbon. Maria McCaffery welcomed Keystone Engineering Huhne offered a energy doesn’t just have “We must ensure the Huhne’s “vigorous” and built by Danish yard ringing endorsement of the potential to bring silent majority aren’t arguments and praised Bladt. It was installed by arguments long-promoted Britain’s economy back drowned out by the his department’s efforts Hochtief and is the first by R-UK in a bid to dispel to life, it has already vocal minority, those to maintain support for met mast to be deployed myths that renewables started. Our job now is opposed to renewable the industry in tough in a Round 3 zone. are “too expensive, to allow it to really energy in all its forms. economic times. Smart Wind is cannot deliver at scale... flourish by setting clear “And I’ll do my bit by “The Secretary of targeting construction at (are) uneconomic, and coherent objectives saying loud and clear State’s emphatic defence the first phase of the unreliable and unwanted”. and using regulation and that I think onshore wind of the renewables 4GW Hornsea in 2014. The DECC secretary closely targeted support is beautiful,” he said. industry will provide a countered media claims to hit them.” Huhne called on welcome and timely • Huhne had words of that green subsidies are Huhne cited an Ipsos industry to “continue to boost for everyone caution over the working in this dynamic potential of shale gas to • Approaching a gigawatt Planning remains public sector,” she said. contribute significantly of onshore wind capacity to the UK energy mix, came online in the UK enemy number one in UK • The green heat criticising groups that over the past 12 months, The UK’s “cumbersome existing system to be industry expressed relief promote unconventional up 20% on the previous planning process” streamlined in the wake in the wake of the DECC gas at the expense of period, according to remains the single of onshore approval secretary’s promise that renewables. R-UK’s 2011 state of the largest obstacle to rates that hit “critically the delayed Renewable He said: “Those who industry report. growth, according to a low levels” of 42% across Heat Incentive will be clamour loudest for Total onshore capacity survey published by the UK and 26% in going ahead. ‘realistic’ energy policies topped 4.2GW with a RenewableUK. England. However, Renewable would have us hitch our further 1.3GW under The industry group The group said there Energy Association head wagon to shale alone. construction and 3.7GW said a “clear majority was a spike in the of policy Paul Thompson “We don’t yet know with planning approval. (59.8%) of onshore wind number of sub-2MW wind said the 60% reduction in the full extent of shale Offshore capacity hit developers” cited farm planning the large-scale RHI tariff gas here, how economically 1341MW with another Britain’s “unwieldy applications in England “is an extremely or environmentally 2.2GW at the construction planning system” as the last year as developers unwelcome surprise and viable it will be to phase and nearly 1.7GW main hurdle. pitched smaller schemes badly undermines projects” extract, or by when. At consented. R-UK called for the in a bid to secure elusive of 1MW and above. best it is years away.” consents. R-UK chief executive Maria McCaffery said the rate of planning refusals is “alarming” with recent examples “setting a worrying precedent”. She said the industry remains confident it can deliver 2020 targets of 13GW onshore and 18GW offshore if the system is reformed to “avoid putting further deployment at risk”. 27 October 2011 reNews offshore 5 Red7Marine to replace Thanet inter-array wires Red7Marine is gearing up off in mid-November. joint in Thanet’s export to replace two inter- The original installations cable in Pegwell Bay, array cables at the by now-defunct cabling which was also installed 300MW Thanet offshore operator Subocean were by Subocean. wind farm. not up to standard, it is ABB supplied the new The job involves understood. joint and Red7Marine swapping out of one A Vattenfall used the Stemat Oslo 650-metre and one spokesman said there are vessel to pull the two 850-metre wire at the no plans to replace cable ends together. The Vattenfall project. Red7 further cables at the site. work was completed in will use its own 90-metre Great Yarmouth- roughly 10 days despite Second wind: first production at Walney 2 is expected vessel OSV DP Reel to based Red7Marine challenging weather shortly with full operation scheduled for the turn of carry out the work, recently finished conditions and shallow the year Photo: Walney Offshore Windfarms which is planned to kick replacing a five-metre water depths. Walney 1 transmission ETI seed corn for floating demonstrator The Energy Technologies 2016 in a relatively also commission a test assets change hands Institute is to invest up near-shore site where site for the demonstration Macquarie Capital Group transmission owner to £25m in an offshore waters are between 60 phase with possible and Barclays Integrated regime. Walney 1 is owned wind floating and 100 metres deep and locations being provided Infrastructure Fund have by Dong, SSE and OPW. demonstration project. wind speeds are up to 10 to project participants completed the purchase The purchase of the The technology could metres per second. during the design phase. of transmission assets at OFTO asset was facilitated “open up new areas off The 5MW to 7MW The RFP closing date the Walney 1 wind farm in part by £52m in debt the coast of the UK and turbine demo will run for is 27 January. for a total of £105.4m. funding from the European help bring generation at least two years in the ETI is a public-private The partners, acting Investment Bank. costs down”, it said. initial phase with a partnership with as Blue Transmission At Walney 2, meanwhile, A request for proposals further eight years of commercial members BP, Walney 1, take control all turbines are now up was issued this week for deployment “to allow Eon, Rolls-Royce, of the grid link under and final commissioning a floating demonstrator further developments to Caterpillar, EDF Energy Ofgem’s offshore is underway. that can be installed by take place”. The ETI will and Shell.

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UFBN 6 news focus reNews 27 October 2011 Renewables Obligation banding review Government unveils plans to trim wind sails but give marine energy development a long-sought leg-up, write Seb Kennedy, Benedict Watson and Todd Westbrook

DEC ROLLS THE ROC DICE Rebuilding the UK Technology Current Proposed Onshore wind 1 0.9 Offshore wind 2 1.9 in 2015/16, support structure 1.8 in 2016/17 The government has put See pages 7 to 9 for reported in reNews in Wave 2 5 up to project its much-anticipated July, while offshore wind sectors in detail. cap of 30MW Renewables Obligation will drop from two ROCs Tidal 2 5 up to project banding review out for said. Largesse for wave, to 1.9 in 2015/16 and 1.8 cap of 30MW consultation. tidal and certain biomass in 2016/17. The revised The Department of elements will be paid for mechanisms will cover Hydro 1 0.5 Energy and Climate by cuts to onshore wind the period until electricity Biomass conversion 1.5 1 Change proposals are and an array of less market reform supports Enhanced co-firing 0.5 1 designed to avoid developed technologies. in the shape of feed-in expected overspends of DECC said the review tariffs with contracts for Standalone biomass 1.5 1.4 from 2016 £130m in 2013/14 and was carried out “to difference (FiT CfDs) Energy from waste with 1 0.5 £290m in 2014/15 while ensure that support take hold in 2017. CHP keeping the country on levels are set as cost- The cut for offshore Landfill gas 0.25 0 track to meet “the effectively as possible wind support is linked to A range of technologies including solar PV, energy crops, deployment trajectory and that they help to planned reductions in the geothermal, microgeneration, tidal impoundment, set out in the UK bring forward renewable cost of the technology to dedicated CHP, advanced gasification, advanced Renewable Energy technologies at the £100/MWh by 2020. pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion will follow offshore wind Roadmap”. capacity needed in an “Bringing down costs with 1.9 ROCs in 2015/16 and 1.8 in 2016/17. Supports on the table affordable way”. The over time should enable for post-2013 are deadline for comments is us to reduce the support onshore wind support is ROC under a new and designed to create 12 January 2012. for offshore wind over linked to a cost curve grandfathered banding large-scale renewable Under the proposals, the banding review that, according to the while co-firing at a rate generation of 70 to onshore wind will be period without impacting government, has already of at least 15% will also 75TWh per annum by the reduced to 0.9 Renewables deployment levels,” said peaked. receive one ROC. There end of the banding Obligation certificates DECC. Other realignments will be no co-firing period in 2017, DECC from one in 2013, as first The reduction in include an increase to capacity cap. five ROCs for wave and Those projects that Electricity bills could sharpen the axe tidal technologies up to could have connected Ministers have left the necessarily be world then we need to 30MW per generating under the higher ROC door open to a potential comparable to the new be able to... have station. bands to 2013 but were drop in subsidies for all RO bandings. relatively more This can only be prevented from doing so renewables technologies “If there is a massive renewables and nuclear. claimed by projects that because of a delayed when fleshing out fall in the cost of gas The policy has to be are operational before 1 grid connection or electricity market clearly we need a policy robust to those sorts of April 2017 and will, implementation of a reform proposals. that is going to support uncertainties.” according to DECC, “help radar mitigaton solution Energy secretary Chris substantially more gas The central bring this technology are being offered a Huhne said the level of with carbon capture and counterparty for FiT CfDs into mainstream six-month grace period FiT CfDs will depend on storage,” he said. will be identified by the deployment”. to run for six months market conditions at the “If we are in a very end of the year, Huhne Biomass conversion from April 2013. time and will not high (cost) fossil fuel said. projects will receive one Click here for details

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TIPXT 27 October 2011 reNews news focus 7 Renewables Obligation banding review Falling costs ‘make room’ WHAT THEY SAY... The cut in ROC level for impact on the industry, for onshore wind pull-back onshore wind was reducing deployment and The decision to cut “less efficient” low wind Policy director Gordon inevitable, and at 0.9 is potentially jeopardising onshore wind subsidies sites. Edge said the association at an appropriate level to momentum as we strive by 10% to 0.9 ROCs was “At a given level of will consult members on encourage the industry to to reach our carbon based on the assumption subsidy it is obviously the impact of the 10% drive towards further cost reduction targets. that costs for the sector appropriate that people drop before deciding cuts while reaffirming the However, we recognise will continue to drop, should look and see whether to take further UK government’s the need to drive down according to DECC where they are going to lobbying action. commitment to costs across the sector, secretary Chris Huhne. get a reasonable return “It is going to take renewables. especially offshore. He told reporters it because of the wind some effort to shift Repower UK RenewableUK chief would be “astonishing” if resource,” he said. DECC. We need to go managing director executive Maria the levelised cost of Maria McCaffery of away and consider if we Rick Eggleston McCaffery onshore wind energy RenewableUK said there think it is really too does not approach the is “no damaging.” Onshore wind developers While the market costs of cost of other energy evidence” Edge claimed should be able to live turbines are coming sectors in coming years. of a pending government has with this. It’s a modest down we still face “Over time the drop in the underestimated the reduction, but it will have massive uncertainty as a assumption must be that price of the impact of the fractional an impact on smaller and result of the long lead they move towards being Class I wind ROC for onshore wind. community schemes. times associated with able to provide turbines DECC anticipates the Offshore wind remains at projects and mixed electricity, obviously required at “least cost effective the higher level messages over long-term taking account of the Siding the majority 350MW to 490MW” will introduced by the planning policies. Our carbon costs, at market with bill of UK sites. be scrapped, while R-UK emergency review, which costs remain volatile and rate.” payers: The group expects the impact to be is welcome news. our risks are heavily Huhne said a Huhne criticised “four times that figure”. Renewable Energy loaded up front, and this secondary motivation for Photo: DECC the cut in The industry group Association chief is does not encourage the cut from April 2013 the onshore said it expects smaller Gaynor Hartnell investment. was to concentrate ROC but admitted any community wind farms West Coast Energy development in high attempt to reverse the will be hardest hit Any reduction in financial managing director resource areas and avoid decision is likely to fail. due to less 8 support will have an Rob Tate

Anyone can hire a vessel. Having the right people and knowhow is what makes it a success.

www.A2SEA.com 8 news focus reNews 27 October 2011 Renewables Obligation banding review Gentle touch for offshore sector Falling costs ‘make room’ designed to entice manufacturers for onshore DECC is counting on a manufacturing base. rather than a return to capacity and justify a phased reduction in Energy minister Charles the 1.5 originally due to domestic supply chain. wind retreat offshore wind support to Hendry said the less take hold in April 2014, “We have many of the attractive prompt global sharp reduction from two is designed to deliver world’s turbine 7 economies of investment in a UK ROCs to 1.9 and 1.8, 18GW of offshore manufacturers looking at scale. The prevailing manufacturing here in trend in England towards the UK. This is a smaller projects is significant step in another concern, it said. enabling those decisions Huhne rejected this to go ahead,” he said. argument and Energy secretary Chris downplayed the impacts. Huhne pointed out that “It is wrong to assume local content in offshore that community schemes wind projects has are necessarily the most increased from 10% at marginal. Robin Rigg to 30% at “That suggests London Array, and will somehow that Pioneers lead continue to do so. “What community schemes are you will see is that the in relatively less windy supply chain and the areas, which is a rather where others jobs increasingly come odd argument.” to the UK,” he said. He said some Developers expressed difference of opinion follow. some relief at the with RenewableUK was relatively modest scale to be expected. “There of offshore ROC cuts, is always an ongoing although few were debate between an MPI Offshore’s fleet of willing to come right out industry looking for purpose-built wind turbine and say so. support and the installation vessels and Mainstream chief government about what executive Eddie is the appropriate level. experienced team make for O’Connor welcomed the “I make no apologies a world leader in offshore decision but said the for the fact that we are company would now race attempting to get the wind installation. ahead with the 450MW best possible deal for Neart na Gaoithe and the energy bill payer,” first 2GW of the Hornsea he added. www.mpi-offshore.com wind farm in a bid to beat the coming MMO require resources reduction. to process applications The developer’s head that are going to come of offshore wind Chris through.” Hill urged government to RenewableUK warned ensure that consenting that the reduction to 1.8 authorities such as the ROCs would place a Infrastructure Planning question mark over Commission and Marine Round 3 projects that Management are in deeper water and Organisation are fully farther from shore. resourced to enable It said the cut offshore wind projects to “represents a significant hit the new phased ROC increase in uncertainty banding deadlines. for entrants into the He said: “The quicker offshore wind supply we build projects the chain — a supply chain quicker we can reduce with the potential of costs, and (that) delivering tens of depends largely on the thousands of jobs by consenting regime. I am 2020 if the possibilities concerned that a lot of of offshore wind the key stakeholders and deployment are fully regulators including the realised”. 27 October 2011 reNews news focus 9 Renewables Obligation banding review

WHAT THEY SAY... at Teesside will now structured to support the wind and marine in “This decision will ensure has the combination of move into its final stage development of the UK particular will help give the marine energy industry clarity over the future of development and industry. Where we would confidence to these can begin to move ROC band for dedicated financing.” like to follow offshore sectors. It is vital that we towards commercial- biomass, along with MGT director wind is with continue to develop a mix scale exploitation and agreed 20-year Chris Moore an emergency review to of low carbon energy, that the UK can retain its grandfathering of ROCS, secure a short period of which includes all types position as a global leader.” and confirmation of “We’re perplexed by higher support today.” of technologies; onshore MCT chief executive robust rules governing these RO banding Solar PV adviser and offshore wind, biomass Andrew Tyler biomass sustainability proposals, which show Ray Noble and further development standards. As a result, no sensitivity to the of wave and tidal.” “After a long wait the MGT’s fully permitted unique characteristics of “Our initial view is that Eon regional director biomass industry finally flagship biomass project solar and aren’t the proposals for offshore Dave Rogers Scotland looking to keep High fives all round for pace with the neighbours Scotland is beefing up its five ROCs in Scotland. the marine developers support for tidal energy There is as yet no The marine renewables Charles Hendry said this as an economic to match moves south of per-project cap on the industry is celebrating a DECC now recognises the growth area. the border while acting support mechanism. major subsidy boost that “desperate” need for “The scope for us to on a previously voiced Ministers said they are could trigger an extra wave and tidal lead in this area is very promise to remove “seeking views” on this avalanche of new support. “We really see strong,” he said. incentives for large-scale element. investment. standalone biomass plants. On biomass, the The increase from two Holyrood released consultation is seeking to to five ROCs per MWh for consultation last week cap the size of projects projects accredited on fresh banding for the that will be eligible for before April 2017 is Renewables Obligation support. “Smaller, more exactly the tonic needed Scotland regime, largely efficient biomass to revitalise interest in in line with England and projects would continue the struggling sector, Wales proposals outlined to receive support but industry figures said. by DECC. large-scale, electricity- Wave Hub general Scottish Renewables only stations would no manager Claire Gibson gave the initiative a longer be eligible,” said said the improvement broad welcome but Holyrood. Views are “helps close the warned that planned sought at which level the economic viability gap, reductions could hit cap should be set. which remains the “marginal projects both Scotland is also biggest stumbling block onshore and offshore”. seeking feedback on to the commercial The industry group potential new bandings. deployment of wave added that it would work This could include a devices”. closely with members to separate and higher level Marine Current consider the impact of for experimental offshore Turbines chief executive the measures in wind turbine technologies Andrew Tyler said the particular on biomass and installations. decision will ensure tidal and large-scale hydro. energy moves towards Energy minister • The Northern Ireland commercial-scale Fergus Ewing said tidal executive will unveil its exploitation and that the power would receive five proposed RO banding UK retains its position as ROCs from 2013. Wave before the end of the a global leader. power already receives week. Pelamis Wave Power’s new chief executive Per Hornung Pedersen said the move to five ROCs brings renewed certainty and stability to wave energy. “We are on the cusp of making wave energy a commercial reality and The course: offshore. this new government The goal: renewable energies commitment will be warmly welcomed by Please contact us: Tel. +49 40 21986-353, your contact in UK: Tel. +44 1953 880077 investors and customers [email protected], alike,” he said. www.hochtief-solutions.com/cem Energy minister 10 offshore reNews 27 October 2011 CG all set for Humber News round-up • Vestas has received • The Infrastructure Gateway substations orders from Consumers Planning Commission has Belgian engineering farm off eastern England establish itself further in Energy for 101MW of issued its first ever company CG is in line to is expected to come the European market. V100 turbines to be decision, approving pick up a contract for a online in 2014. Earlier this year, CG supplied to a wind Covanta’s 65MW Rookery high-voltage offshore Hardware for the won a contract to project in Michigan, South waste-to-energy substation at Eon’s substation will be design, deliver and 99MW of the same model project in Bedfordshire. 230MW Humber Gateway manufactured by install the high voltage for Eon’s Anacacho wind farm. Fabricom, according to offshore substation for scheme in Texas, and • Nordex has signed a The Indian-owned sources. the 288MW Butendiek 178MW of V90s for an deal to supply 250MW of outfit will design, Eon selected CG from wind farm in Germany. undisclosed customer in turbines to Pakistan engineer and supply the a range of bidders. One The Indian company Ontario, Canada. starting in 2012. Five kit for the sanctioned source said the company declined to comment on In Finland, Vestas is to projects in Sindh province Round 2 project, it is has been touting for the Humber Gateway supply eight V112 units will each get 20 N100 understood. The wind work “aggressively” to project. to TuuliWatti’s 24MW machines. Elsewhere, li-Olhava wind farm. Nordex has introduced Nigg deal done the Gamma generation Enterprise boldly goes Global Energy Group has • Siemens is bringing the of its N90 and N100 wrapped up its purchase 31MW Les Mees solar models to the Chinese to lay export cable kit of the Nigg yard on the project online near the and Asian markets. Global Marine Systems is Separately, GMS vessel Cromarty Firth in the French Alps for preparing to take CS Sovereign has all but Scottish Highlands. developer Eco Delta. • Finnish manufacturer delivery of the 115-metre finished its cabling job at The deal with KBR and Winwind is to supply four cable barge Enterprise in C-Power’s 147.6MW the Wakelyn Trust clears • The Met Office has 3MW turbines to a the coming weeks. second phase on the way for development launched a new site- Hamina Energy wind The vessel is destined Thorntonbank. of the 238-acre site as a specific weather farm near Summa. for RWE’s 576MW Gwynt CS Sovereign will then multi-user facility forecasting service for y Môr offshore wind head to the 630MW serving markets including wind farms. Wind • Osbit Power has hired farm, where it will London Array before renewables. Highlands Production Forecast is long-time IHC Engineering install four 132kV export returning for C-Power’s and Islands Enterprise designed to provide Business man Ben cables starting around third phase, also has promised £1.8m to accurate short-term Webster to handle sales March or April next year. 147.6MW, next year. help transform the yard. assessments. and marketing.

HERE YOU GAMBLE... 27 October 2011 reNews offshore 11 Olsen team effort on data Dong dips into pocket masts for Dogger Bank Norwegian group Fred foundations and its to test V164 prototype Olsen has roped a design removes the need Dong Energy is preparing of intent had been “is to test this new type contract for a pair of for pile driving, seabed to test drive a prototype signed but said of wind turbine” and innovative met masts at preparations, scour Vestas V164 turbine at timetables for that a competitive the Dogger Bank Round 3 protection and a transition the consented six-unit installation have yet to process was therefore zone in the North Sea. piece,” said Forewind. Frederikshavn be set. unnecessary. Development demonstrator site off the The V164 is not The utility added: consortium Forewind • Royal Haskoning has north-east of Jutland. expected to go up before “The turnover derived selected Fred Olsen agreed a framework with The company has 2013. The initial from the wind turbine United to build, deliver Forewind to provide negotiated a deal to prototype is due to go will neither secure the and install the units co-ordination and lead install a “pre-zero into construction contracting authority any during summer 2012. consultancy on series” 7MW machine at late-2012. profit nor lead to recovery Subcontractors will environmental impact one of the turbine Dong said in an of the R&D costs.” come from within the assessments for projects locations at the so-called ex-ante transparency When purchasing, wider Fred Olsen group within Dogger Bank. An Nearshore Lab. notice published in the installation and other and include Universal EIA for the first phase is A spokesperson EU Journal that the elements are taken into Foundation, which will due December 2012. confirmed that a letter purpose of the contract account, “the wind design one of its suction turbine will generate a bucket foundations for Briefs negative income”. the met masts. Harland Dong said the contract & Wolff will build the • Natural Power has been • SeaRoc and Seoul sector towards with Vestas “does not structures. appointed by Repsol to company CDS Wind have commercialisation. prejudice a competitive Searoc will design, carry out environmental teamed up to help award of similar procure and assemble assessment co-ordination develop the offshore • TUV SUD is to carry out subsequent contracts”. the topsides while the for the 905MW Inch Cape wind industry in Korea project certification for Frederikshavn is entire units will be wind farm off the east and China. The duo will the twin 520MW Bernstein planned for waters installed by Fred Olsen coast of Scotland. The work with governments, and Citrin wind farms around 4km offshore and Windcarrier newbuild company will handle developers, turbine being developed in the is already consented for jack-up Brave Tern. consent management as manufacturers, utilities, North Sea by Bard. Each testing of turbines and “It uses less steel well as providing a investors and financiers project will feature 80 foundations by the than conventional piled marine mammal advisor. to push a so-far undeveloped turbines of 6.5MW. Danish Energy Agency.

OLEG STRASHNOV STANISLAV YUDIN

Offshore installation... our core business! 12 england reNews 27 October 2011 Lords kill referendum Red ink flows at REG REG Windpower ran up a EBITDA at about break- £2.6m post-tax loss for even.” REG expects to clause in Localism Bill the year ended 30 June. be protected from the Contentious plans to abuse by extreme which had been lobbying The company blamed the proposed cut in subject onshore wind minority groups. against local referenda. previously reported low Renewables Obligation projects in England to “It would also be open Elsewhere, industry wind phenomenon in the support for onshore wind local referendums have to people demanding sources said ongoing northern hemisphere in by increases in wholesale been scrapped by the large numbers of efforts from the period. power prices. House of Lords after a referendums on all kinds conservationists to The AIM-listed Elsewhere, the crucial passage was of things that the council reintroduce third party company, which lost £3m company is holding removed from the would find it extremely rights of appeal into the in fiscal 2010, said: “The public exhibitions for the Localism Bill. difficult to refuse to Localism Bill are unlikely resulting loss of close to six-turbine Bank House Liberal Democrat Lord hold,” he said. to prove successful. £2m from revenues led Farm wind project in Anthony Greaves moved His call was supported The bill is expected to to a group normalised Lincolnshire. to do away with the by LibDem Lord Graham reach Royal Assent clause, which he Tope, who said there are around New Year. Survey on project ‘problems’ described as “nonsense” “better ways of testing North Devon MP Nick asks respondents to rate and “over the top”, in a public opinion fairly than • The localism agenda is Harvey has launched an “how bad” the problems recent reading in using the very suspect “suffocating the online survey to assess of noise, shadow flicker, Westminster. means of a referendum”. renewables sector” and the impacts of ESBI’s mobile phone and TV Lord Greaves said the The removal is a “confusing” the planning Fullabrook wind farm on signal interference have system would be costly, victory for industry framework, according to local residents. been since the 66MW unnecessary and open to group RenewableUK, Stewart Lowther of The questionnaire scheme was installed. Atmos Consulting. He said: “We do not dispute the value of public consultation but it can be a very lengthy process, especially when planners do not have the one framework they need to help them, Confidence which is a regional Accurate and flexible weather strategy.” forecasting for wind farms Make accurate wind power predictions Briefs and optimise your wind farms with the site-specific Wind Production Forecast • Milton Keynes Council from the Met Office. is drawing up a new supplementary planning Visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/energy document to strengthen for more information an existing 350-metre buffer zone between turbines and residential areas contained in policy note D5. The guidance will set out the circumstances when the limit should be extended when taking into account noise and landscape, and will come into force in mid-2012.

• Ecotricity is mulling an appeal following Swindon Borough Council’s rejection of plans for three turbines at the Honda car factory.

• Maldon District Council

Produced by the Met Office has tossed out RES’ © Crown copyright 2011 11/0380 seven-turbine Turncole Met Office and the Met Office logo are registered trademarks wind farm on the Dengie Peninsula, Essex. 27 October 2011 reNews marine 13 Rolls-Royce TGL adds Briefs • Pelamis Wave Power has Scotrenewables’ 250kW ballast at West Islay appointed ex-Repower floating tidal converter Independent renewables approach and there is no are not easy and given boss Per Hornung to the grid in Orkney. developer DP Energy has formal contract in place the likely upfront costs Pedersen as chief teamed up with Rolls- but they have supported we are looking for large executive. He will lead a • SSE Renewables is Royce TGL to pursue a us throughout. Unless utility partners,” he said. strategic review aimed at seeking consent to install 30MW tidal energy array they come out with some West Islay was offered scaling up manufacturing two Waverider buoys and off West Islay in the very challenging numbers a 30MW Saltire Prize capabilities. a pair of ADCPs at its Western Isles. that is probably the lease from the Crown 200MW Costa Head wave DP’s Simon De Pietro direction we would look Estate this month, the • Spain’s La Laguna site in Orkney. said RR TGL’s support to go,” he said. largest of eight University in the Canary has earned the De Pietro said his demonstration site Islands is developing a • The Energy Technologies manufacturer the status company is in talks with awards. CE’s lease near-shore oscillating Institute is launching a of preferred bidder. deep-pocketed partners announcement water column wave £450,000 modelling project “We take a to provide balance sheet erroneously stated West converter device. The to improve understanding technology neutral support. “Early arrays Islay was awarded to patented system works of UK tidal resources led Marine Energy Ltd, an as a hybrid with wind by Black & Veatch. Japanese try-out at EMEC unrelated company. and wave elements. Kawasaki Heavy introduced Kawasaki to The project, currently • Highlands and Islands Industries of Japan is EMEC last year. at scoping, will be • Australia’s Carnegie Enterprise is providing bringing a new tidal Also at EMEC, submitted to Marine Wave Energy has £740,000 towards a £2m stream turbine system to Finland’s Wello-Oy has Scotland by the end of completed a detailed expansion of Shetland the European Marine received consent from 2012. assessment of suitable marine engineer Ocean Energy Center for testing the Marine Management De Pietro said the aim sites for deployment of Kinetics Ltd’s operations in Orkney waters. Organisation to install its is to install generators in Ceto wave technology in Lerwick. The surprise Penguin wave converter 2015 and hit the 100GWh greater than 10MW deployment was until June 2012. production target by around the UK. • Siemens is increasing welcomed by First 2017, in line with its existing stake in Minister Alex Salmond • The UK Energy and competition deadlines. • MacArtney Underwater Marine Current Turbines and hailed as a victory Climate Change Select DP Energy holds a Technology provided a in the wake of the for Scottish Development Committee visited EMEC 400MW grid connection 3.5km, 6.6kV umbilical Renewables Obligation International, which this month. offer from National Grid. cable to connect banding review.

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194x130 Rprof.indd 1 13/10/11 10:35 14 offshore reNews 27 October 2011 Lifeline for project finance powerhouse Dexia Briefs Major offshore wind bank said no strategic financial close in its Vattenfall’s 150MW power financier Dexia decisions have been home market. Ormonde. Dexia also • ABB has been awarded has been bought by the taken about offshore In the UK, the bank featured in Germany’s a contract by Belgian government. wind, citing “other played a major role in 400MW Borkum West, transmission operator The deal rescued the pressing priorities”. refinancing Centrica’s 400MW Global Tech 1 TenneT to provide struggling bank, which has Dexia was involved in 194MW Lynn and Inner and 288MW Meerwind maintenance for the helped get some 2GW of the deals that brought Dowsing offshore wind projects, as well as the DolWin2 link bringing projects off the ground. the 325MW C-Power and farm in 2009, and had a 120MW Prinses Amalia offshore wind power in A spokesman for the 165MW Belwind 1 to hand in the financing of farm in the Netherlands. the North Sea to mainland Germany. The three-year A2Sea drawing up blueprints contract runs from 2015. ABB won a $1bn order earlier this year to for jacket installation vessel supply the export system A2Sea is preparing a the way through front- Under the plans, tanker signed earlier this year. itself. next-generation jacket end engineering and Navion Savonita will be Under the deal, the DolWin2 will be the installation vessel that design work for the converted to carry out Danes will provide deck world’s largest offshore could hit the market in so-called JIV, according jacket installations crew and operational HVDC link at more than the first quarter of 2014. to a presentation made following completion of and project management 900MW. It will carry The Danish wind farm at the Danish Wind the FEED study, wind while Teekay will own output from the 400MW specialist and partner Industry Association tunnel tests and lifting the vessel and supply Gode Wind II wind farm Teekay are two-thirds of offshore wind conference. analysis. basic crew. and others to the grid. The DP2 shuttle tanker is expected to cut costs • The Danish Energy • DNV has appointed due to an increased Agency has approved Matthias Laatsch to lead carrying capacity, Dong Energy’s deal to its wind energy decreased installation sell 50% of the 400MW operations in Hamburg. The Offshore Wind Installation Contractor time per jacket and Anholt wind farm off The new man has been in reduced tug requirements. Jutland to PensionDanmark. offshore wind for six It will also be more The EU Commission years and project credits flexible in terms of tidal has also cleared the include Alpha Ventus and availability, soil sale, which is expected the Fino 1 platform. conditions and jacket to be completed in the types. fourth quarter. Work on • Dutch companies Real A memorandum of Anholt starts this year NewEnergy, Ecofys and understanding between with full operation set Fugro are planning to Teekay and A2Sea was for early 2013. build an up to 10-turbine testing and certification facility at an onshore Thorntonbank magnet location on the US East Coast. for protected bird life The Poseidon Atlantic C-Power’s Thorntonbank the coming years,” the project on Virginia’s offshore wind farm is report said. eastern shore could be attracting protected The study also found up and running in the

vju seabirds, according to a that hearing damage to next two years and will study into the ecological marine mammals “should support turbines of at Presenting impact of Belgian wind not be expected” from least 5MW. farms. the installation of Inwind Installer The latest report from foundations. • Houston shipyard the Management Unit of The report said piling Zentech is to convert a Complete and cost effective installation services the North Sea Mathematical noise at Belwind projects to the offshore wind industry barge for dedicated use Models (MUMM) found was greater than in the offshore wind ÝÛ Self propelled DP2 jack-up installation vessel increased activity of C-Power’s gravity based construction market on ÝÛ Robust design for harsh operating conditions Common and Sandwich foundations, arguing it both sides of the ÝÛ Minimized weather downtime tern species at the remains an “open Atlantic. ÝÛ Operating in depths between 15 - 65 meters six-turbine study area. question” whether this The company is ÝÛ Suitable for WTG and foundation installation The authors called the causes a behavioural planning to use the ÝÛ Designed for feeder based and traditional findings “surprising” and response in marine US-flagged Zee Rig 3 as a shuttling installation approach warned of increased risk mammals. turbine installation ÝÛ Two High Capacity Cranes (1200 Te and 500 Te) of collision mortality. MUMM’s research vessel. for safe, fast and efficient installation in “The occurrence of programme is financed The former Derrick challenging weather conditions terns at the by C-Power and Belwind Barge 23 will be ready Thorntonbank study area as a condition of their “at the end of 2012 or www.inwind.no should therefore receive environmental permits. early 2013 if all goes maximum attention in Click here for the full report well”. 27 October 2011 reNews scotland 15 Thumbs up Wind Towers to get SPR back at council for 150MW on track at Beinn an Tuirc 2 ScottishPower Renewables destined for a different difficulties with previous farm with the final Lewis plan is set to resume European wind farm but Machrihanish incumbent delivery due next construction of the redirected to the SPR Skykon. Wind Towers took February. Western Isles councillors stalled 44MW Beinn an project. over earlier this year. The project, which have given their blessing Tuirc 2 wind farm in The tower sections Component parts for was originally due online to Amec and EDF Energy Argyll and Bute. were subsequently Siemens 2.3MW turbines this year, will be Renewables’ 42-turbine Wind Towers Ltd has caught up in the are already at the wind operational by summer. wind proposal near been signed up to Stornoway on Lewis. complete 19 turbine Members of Comhairle towers that will be nan Eilean Siar voted not delivered to the project to object to the project. site some seven miles The Scottish government away from the Kintyre will make a final company’s base. determination under It is understood the Section 36 legislation. contractor will tackle Tip heights will be up both internal works such to 143.5 metres with as platforms, lifts and hardware of up to 3.6MW cables as well as final in the frame. Top power checks on the towers, at the Lewis Wind Power which were originally scheme is put at 151MW. Project director Ron Mount Lothian Peddie called the Comhairle decision “an sighting shot enormous vote of Wind Prospect has lifted confidence” that reflects the lid on plans for an up the views of “individual, to 24MW wind farm at business and other Mount Lothian, south of organisations in Edinburgh. Stornoway”. The developer is He added that work seeking to put up 12 Two Partners—One Goal: remains to be done. turbines on the Penicuik Power of Performance “We recognise that Estate near Howgate. An further engagement is eventual planning The new company HGO InfraSea Solutions bundles the expertise of two leading still needed and we will application will go to providers of offshore solutions. As ship owner, HGO InfraSea Solutions assumes continue to work with Midlothian Council. the role of a ship developer, ship manager and charterer for heavy-lift jack-up the statutory consultees Tip heights have been vessels used to build and maintain offshore wind farms as well as offshore oil & and community to set at 105 metres and gas facilities. address any concerns,” community benefit has he said. been proposed at £2000 HGO InfraSea Solutions has committed itself to providing the most powerful per megawatt per annum. heavy-lift jack-up vessels. While the offshore market is booming, the number of • National Grid and Wind Prospect senior adequate installation vessels is insuffi cient. We will close this gap starting with our fi rst heavy-lift jack-up vessel INNOVATION. ScottishPower have development manager Colin Williams said: “Our applied to Marine With its high-performance 1,500 t crane and its high-load capacity of up to 8,000 t, Scotland to install a proposals for Mount INNOVATION will operate in water depths of up to 50 m. INNOVATION will be marine power cable Lothian are still at a very launched mid-2012. running from Hunterston early stage of to the limit of Scotland’s development and we will HGO InfraSea Solutions will shape the future of offshore business by operating territorial waters. not be submitting a powerful heavy-lift jack-up vessels and providing fully developed and highly The application, planning application for effi cient offshore logistics solutions. understood to be part of at least another year. the planning process for “However, we are the Western HVDC Link keen to engage with the to England and Wales, local community at this HGO InfraSea Solutions GmbH & Co. KG stipulates a start date for early stage.” Herrlichkeit 4 work of January 2013. 28199 Bremen The 2000MW • Green Cat Renewables Germany InfraSea HGO Solutions interconnector, the more has filed an environmental advanced of two “boot statement in support of T: +49 421 643 622-930 F: +49 421 643 622-697 strap” trans-border links a three-turbine project www.hgo-infrasea-solutions.de off each side of Britain, at Clentrie Farm in Fife is expected to go live in being developed on 2015. behalf of REV Ltd.

+*2B$Q]HLJHB5HQHZVB[PPLQGG  16 news reNews 27 October 2011 Cheap gas ‘cooking renewable goose’ Renewables are slipping global market as we cheapest source will considerable time”. The the drawn-out down the UK energy become more dependent dominate and debate over onshore and Renewables Obligation policy agenda as the on imported gas. This decarbonisation will only offshore wind costs is banding review, delays government looks to will inevitably happen, happen if it is cheap. “moot” because without to the Renewable Heat natural gas to bridge the regardless of even the “No one is going to effective subsidies in Incentive and changes to pending power supply most robust renewables adopt a large-scale place “we will never get the feed-in tariff gap and rein in costs for forecasts,” he said. solution that is not the there”. framework. “The FiT is consumers, according to A major factor cheapest around.” Hill said interminable only 18 months old and analysts. favouring gas is the Renewables are policy uncertainty is has been beset by Keynote speakers at political need to cut apparently being left destroying investor problems from the get-go. last week’s Westminster consumers’ bills. behind in the costs race. confidence, which has “Everywhere we look Energy, Environment and Professor Steven Stephen Hill of the already rendered the in subsidies there is a Transport Forum said the Cowley of the UK Atomic clean energy team at UK’s 2020 targets fundamental lack of political furore Energy Authority said: legal firm Eversheds said unattainable. certainty, which is surrounding energy “At the moment, cheap renewables will not hit He cited issues around impacting on funding prices has seen energy rules. The grid parity for “some biomass grandfathering, arrangements,” he said. affordability eclipse decarbonisation as a Marine sector has point to prove, says RWE boss strategic priority. Marine renewables will sector. “Marine out” on wave and tidal feeling that a joined-up Julian Lee of the have to deliver results technologies are still in prospects up to 2030. approach is not Centre for Global Energy before they register in the development stages. Looking at the wider achievable any more on Studies said the any meaningful way on It is definitely something sector, Beckers said EMR,” he said. expansion of liquefied the radar of the UK’s that we as a company political interventions “I am confident we natural gas import largest utility and others want to have pushed the can get it back on terminals and the companies. advance at scale but it is government’s ongoing track... but I am less ubiquity of shale gas RWE npower chief very difficult to estimate electricity market certain about the overall could be a “game executive Volker Beckers what size of capacity we reform off course. agenda that we want to changer” for the UK said more success stories can expect.” He said this month’s achieve with the EMR. energy landscape. are needed before Beckers said he assault by Ofgem on the “The UK needs a “We are rapidly utilities can overcome expects a “very small” profit margins of utilities coherent and joined-up developing infrastructure their reluctance to get contribution by 2020 altered the terms of the energy policy with clear to import gas from a four-square behind the while the “jury is still debate. “There is a signals.” 

Early bird rate: Countdown to 2020 10% discount until 30 September – Book now! Following the roadmap in the new EMR era Crème de 2011: Following the Roadmap la crème Sponsored by list of speakers in the new EMR era Offshore includes: 7 December 2011 

This critical conference will take stock of where the Mortimer Menzel, UK’s renewables revolution stands following radical Head of RenewableEnergy Energy in Britain has entered a new era following the radical restructuring of the electricity Organised by the Energy Institute in association Sponsored by electricity market reform ushered in by the Practice, Augustamarket & Co ushered in by the government’s latest energy White Paper. Renewable energy now with reNews government’s energy White Paper. has an official roadmap plotting the route to delivering ambitious European targets of 15% Matthew Knight,of primary energy from green sources by 2020. Business Development Chaired by Alan Moore OBE, it will assess progress Director, Siemens Energy in all areas of primary energy and the implications Allan Rankine, for the green power generation industry. EILOGO_usage_2009:Layout 1 25/3/09 10:30 Page 1 UK Regulatory Affairs Manager, BP Biofuels09.00 Registration Session 2: Power generation: Session 3: Financing offshore wind Session 4: Heat and transport Offshore and onshore wind build fuels: delivering the other half of Wednesday, 7 December 2011. One Great George Street, London Richard Slark, 09.30 Welcome from the chair foundations for growth 13.50 The case for building offshore wind. the 2020 target. Of 260TWh of re- Normal price £350 + VAT but just £250 + VAT for reNews subscribers. Director, Poyry ManagementAlan Moore OBE, Former Chair, The risks, rewards and balance be- newable primary energy, 90 TWh Renewables Advisory Board 11.30 Offshore wind: Delivering massive tween equity and debt when invest- must come from heat and 55 TWh Consulting growth and maintaining political support ing in the current climate. from transport EI logo To usagebook onlineguidelines click here Maria McCaffery, Keynote session: A new era of Speaker: Tbc Mortimer Menzel, Head of Renewable Group booking discounts available for companies sending five or more delegates. Chief Executive, RenewableUKgovernment support Energy Practice, Augusta & Co 15.30 Progress since the introduction of the There are two versions of the EI logo with different applications depending 11.50 Onshore wind: Overcoming barriers to Renewable Heat Incentive. on the design of the materials it will appear on. Richard Sandford,09.40 Keynote address: The renewable energy growth and current projections through 14.10 Green Investment Bank. Big lever for Speaker: TBC For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities please contact: Please adhere to the following guidelines. If in any doubt, please contact Head of Business & AssetRoadmap and Energy market Reform: the decade. financing or irrelevance? CassiEmma Parso Lamb,ns, Marketing Sales& Development and Marketing Manager, Energy Manager, Institute reNews Speaker: Tbc Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive, Re- Speaker: TBC 1550 Title: Tbc [email protected] for further clarification. Management Wind Offshore, +44 (0) 1962 890 440 [email protected] newableUK Allan Rankine, UK Head of Regulatory MAIN LOGO BOXED LOGO RWE Innogy 10.00 The independent view: scenarios for 14.30 Funding the sector from the balance Affairs, BP Martin McAdam, delivery of renewables by 2020. 12.10 Building a sustainable green supply sheet and among other energy priori- Organised by the Energy Institute in association with reNews Richard Slark, Director, Poyry Manage- industry. ties– the utility view. 16.10 Panel discussion: Implications for all � Chief Executive Officer,ment Consulting Matthew Knight, Business Development Speaker: TBC sectors of progress of renewables or � Aquamarine Power Director, Siemens Energy lack of it in other areas of primary INCORRECT 10.20 The industry view: challenges and barriers 14.50 Panel session energy supply CORRECT to meeting targets 12.30 Panel session The BOXED logo is to be used against a coloured or tinted background only. Speaker: Tbc Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer, The position of the logo is preferably top right or bottom right. Do not use this 15.10 Refreshments 16.30 Chair to summarise the day The main logo is to be used against a white background only. The position of logo against a white background. Exceptions are if the logo is appearing with Aquamarine Power the logo is preferably top right or bottom right. Do not use this logo against a many other logos as a partner or supporting organisation then the boxed coloured or tinted background. Please allow 5mm clear space around the logo. version can be used to give the EI logo more weight. 10.40 Panel session and Q&A 16.40 End of conference 12.50 Lunch � 11.00 Refreshment break < � CORRECT www.energyinst.org.uk/events INCORRECT www. energyinst.org 27 October 2011 reNews politics 17 Editorial Broadside over IPC chief drops big hint on consenting powers Cardiff planning The Infrastructure Planning Commission’s Green deal there chairman has indicated he would support policy confusion further devolution of energy consenting for the taking... powers to Welsh ministers. Secretary of state Chris Huhne received a The Welsh government has come under a Sir Michael Pitt suggested in evidence to warm welcome from the standing-room- barrage of criticism for its onshore wind the National Assembly’s energy inquiry that only crowd at RenewableUK 2011 following track record and recent ambiguity over decisions on projects greater than 50MW a speech that declared “onshore wind is renewables. The National Assembly’s could in practice be made in Cardiff. beautiful”, that Britain is going to lead the ongoing energy inquiry prompted a chorus Swansea West AM Julie James asked Pitt world in offshore wind, and that government of condemnation over Cardiff’s handling of if there is “any real reason why the final is determined not to miss out on the the planning in mid-Wales. decision should not go to ministers in promise of wave and tidal technologies. Welsh developer Tegni Cymru Cyf slated Wales?” The minister appeared in the wake of a current and previous administrations for Pitt replied: “There are examples Renewables Obligation banding consultation adopting a hypocritical policy stance. already where the Planning Inspectorate that, despite cuts, was described by many Director Keith Bellis said: “Aspirations makes recommendations to the Welsh at the conference as “the best we could mean nothing without positive action. WAG ministers. They operate very effectively have hoped for”. have proved to us that they are more indeed. I think you can probably extrapolate Now the government is promising to interested in ‘saving face’ than they are in from that my view on your question.” tackle barriers to a deployment timeline delivering low carbon generation.” The IPC chair said TAN8 is “clearly an that is expected to total 13GW onshore and Bellis said Welsh planning policy has important policy statement” that will be 18GW offshore by 2020. become “meaningless” because projects in “fully taken into account by Huhne said the coalition would address accordance with national guidance, such as commissioners” when evaluating Welsh “financial, planning and delivery hurdles Tegni’s Gorsedd Bran scheme in applications. He warned, however, it is that can hold up progress on renewables”. Denbighshire, are not being approved. conceivable that a proposal in conflict with He called on industry to do its bit by “Until WAG is prepared to adhere to its TAN8 could be approved, and vice-versa. reducing costs, “answering its critics by existing policies then no further devolution This is likely to lead to legal challenges, delivering renewable schemes that save of power, of any form, should be transferred Pitt said. money and save carbon”. from UK to Wales,” he declared. Many in the renewables world are happy Powys County Council said Welsh Briefs to meet that challenge head on but ministers have created an “unacceptable” pointed out it is difficult to do so without situation that can only be resolved through • The UK government has published the projects to build. RenewableUK research a thorough review of policy note TAN8. The outcome of the offshore energy strategic emphasised the point, showing that refusal to do so is “untenable”. environmental assessment. DECC findings onshore wind farm approval rates are at a Councillor Graham Brown said: “In a conclude there are “no overriding “critical low”. nutshell, the national planning policy environmental considerations to prevent” The government, in office now for position has created the antithesis of further offshore wind, wave and tidal nearly 18 months, has consented only one certainty for all those involved in the leasing rounds in English and Welsh waters. offshore wind farm (Eon’s Humber Gateway) process.” Inconsistent messages from Welsh Installed offshore wind capacity could and just a couple Section 36 onshore wind ministers and the imposition of an upper reach 33GW subject to mitigation measures, projects. That needs to change. limit to onshore development “give rise to according to the study, well in excess of Overall, though, there can be no doubt the potential for costly litigation”, he said. the renewables roadmap central range of that Huhne’s very public embrace of the West Coast Energy cited uncertainty 18GW by 2020. sector was a welcome signal from surrounding grid upgrades and “conflicting Westminster, and not just to those in the statements” from government as key • The Scottish government has promised hall this week, that there is no option but barriers to progress. £2m to fund the creation of 1000 “flexible to continue the drive towards binding 2020 “As a matter of urgency, a positive and training places” in the energy and low green energy targets. consistent policy framework is required,” carbon sector. Cash will support those It will, however, have to be done on this planning and development director Steve moving into the industry from other parts government’s terms. The RO review has Salt said. of the economy as well as those already in reduced the size of the carrot on offer and RWE npower renewables said it will not the sector seeking to improve skills. introduced a bigger stick in the shape of support further devolution until authorities those cost reductions. It is a deal the consistently process projects “in a reliable, • The UK government’s Green Deal will kick renewables industry must learn to live with. timely and competent manner” while off next autumn under timetables included Natural Power said it is “disappointed in the Energy Act, which became law earlier • Alex Salmond’s faith in marine energy that... the Welsh planning climate has this month. The policy will fund energy is matched only by his ability to find frustrated and delayed opportunities”. efficiency and other measures targeted at ever-increasing amounts of cash to support ScottishPower requested official energy savings for homes and individuals. the industry. The Scottish First Minister clarification over recent ministerial not only equalled DECC’s five ROCs for statements, which have left industry • The new Danish government has outlined wave and tidal last week, this week he “confused as to intentions of the plans to meet 50% of electricity demand sweetened the pot with a further £18m government”. from wind power by 2020. Ongoing talks to support specific, as yet undefined Consultancy Dulas said the “increasing between coalition parties over future projects as they approach commercialisation. failure of the present government to follow energy policy are expected to identify Following consultation with industry, through on its policy direction” casts doubt exactly how this will be achieved with expect early arrays to have even more on whether devolution “would be in the onshore, offshore and a new category of reason to get into the water. interests of Wales”. near-coast wind expected to feature. 18 offshore reNews 27 October 2011 Big guns to Reef is touting for work Briefs target costs • GRP Laminates has DECC has assembled a after Gabbard success secured a pair of wind team of industry heavy Installation vessel CSV the installation of 36 industry orders for its hitters to drive forward Polar Prince is nearing inter-array cables at South Cat design service its Offshore Wind Cost completion of inter-array Gabbard. vessels. Iceni Marine Reduction Task Force. cabling at its contracted The job was extended Services is buying a The 17-strong group is section of the 504MW from 29 cables and the 13-metre rapid response looking for ways to cut Greater Gabbard company used the unit while Coastal Zone costs to £100/MWh by offshore wind farm. 122-metre vessel Deep Services has lined up a 2020. A report is due Contractor Reef Cygnus. 14-metre personnel spring 2012. Subsea has extended the OMM managing transfer vessel. Members include unit’s charter from GC director Rob Grimmond Gamesa director Thomas Rieber Shipping and is said: “Given the difficult • Trelleborg Offshore Arensbach, Alstom UK hoping to land more conditions experienced Norway has completed president Steve Burgin, work in the offshore at the site, the project’s First Siemens installation of Technip senior VP Ron sector. successful completion is elastometric spring Cookson, Vestas Offshore “The vessel will be an important support boat bearings on foundations senior VP Flemming available shortly for a development for the CWind Alliance has taken at Scira’s 317MW Ougaard as well as Dong range of work scopes offshore wind industry in delivery of the first of Sheringham Shoal wind senior VP Christian following its successful the UK.” three support boats farm off Norfolk. Skakkebaek. completion of inter-array contracted with Siemens The hardware is RenewableUK chair installation at Greater • The delayed first at the 630MW London designed to improve Andrew Jamieson will lead. Gabbard,” Reef Subsea export wire for the Array wind farm in the vertical load carrying said. 630MW London Array Thames estuary. capacity of grouted Daily news The company added wind farm has left The 18.5-metre connections. that its new UK Norway. multi-purpose catamaran updates on subsidiary, Reef Subsea Cable-lay vessel (above) was built by • Dong has commissioned our NEW Power & Umbilical, has Stemat Spirit is expected CTruk Boats. It features ABPmer to provide a placed an order for a to install the 50km-plus a 20-tonne payload and coastal processes websites new jet trencher ROV for line starting from shore an amphibious rescue environmental impact the Polar Prince that will in the coming weeks. pod. assessment for the Burbo be delivered next Manufacturer Nexans The remaining boats Bank and Walney summer. originally planned to are due to launch in extensions. Work will be Separately, Offshore deliver the cable in May early 2012 and CWind completed by the end of www.renews.biz Marine Management said but said it faced will operate all three out the year. it has completed its “challenges” with the of Ramsgate. contract with Fluor for hardware. Photo: CWind • Osbit Power is carrying out offshore trials this Running shoes on at 665MW Rampion month of its MaXccess Eon has set an ambitious pencilled in at 665MW. Organisation to install a crew transfer system, permitting timetable for “The number of turbines met mast next spring. which is based on a its Rampion wind farm is not yet confirmed as Environmental and “clamp and rotate” off the south-east there are a lot of factors technical survey work so principle. English coast. to take into consideration,” far suggests the site, Tank testing and The utility said it aims a spokesperson said. 13km to 26km off the controlled condition to submit a planning The company plans to Sussex coast, is an “ideal trials have been www.renewsamericas.com application and kick off its formal location” for a wind completed. environmental impact consultations with local farm, the utility said. assessment next year, residents next year but The development has • Natural Power has targeting consent in has already kicked off a a connection offer from appointed SeaRoc marine 2013, construction series of informal National Grid into the operations manager Leif kick-off in 2014-15 and events. existing substation at Cooper to develop its full operation in 2017. It recently applied to Bolney some 30km offshore business in the Capacity has been the Marine Management inland. US.

Editor Todd Westbrook +44 (0)1479 873 167 [email protected] Senior reporter Seb Kennedy +44 (0)208 981 8151 [email protected] Offshore

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