Windpower offshore...

Balance of plant contracting

[email protected] re News www.econnect.com RENEWABLE ENERGY NEWS ISSUE 132 22 NOVEMBER 2007 500MW Clyde nears take-off Ministers in Edinburgh appear ready to sanction the 500MW Clyde in southern once Eon to rip out concerns over civilian radar impacts are addressed by developer Airtricity. PAGE 2 Scroby Sands Wind retreat across Scotland Developers across Scotland are scaling back or abandoning projects in the face of a planning system that continues to impose constraints and export cable delays on larger schemes. Eon UK is finalising rather than repair the well as turbine failures, PAGE 3 plans to replace one of cable in-situ, a on Scroby and the latest three export cables at spokesman said: “The expensive fix is likely to Prenergy on top of the world the troubled Scroby advantage we have with be the subject of Prenergy Power has been given the nod to build a Sands offshore wind Scroby Sands is that contractual negotiations world-leading 350MW wood-fuelled biomass plant farm at Great Yarmouth because it is not too far with the farm’s original at Port Talbot, which will meet around 70% of the on England’s east coast. offshore we have a turnkey supplier Vestas. Welsh Assembly’s 2010 renewables target. Norwegian cable relatively short cable Sources suggested PAGE 4 supplier Scanrope length of about 3km. that the wind farm’s Subsea has been “Taking costs and warrantees cover the contracted to deliver benefits into account, it cable issues, although the new wire in makes more sense to Eon refused to comment February. install a new cable on this issue. Floodgates open The damaged cable rather than carry out a Late last year the will be removed around repair to the failed developer reported that the turn of the year. section of the existing generating capacity was It has given the export cable.” “significantly reduced operator trouble since It is rumoured in the for two months when early in the farm’s market that Oceanteam one of the three operational life and has is being lined up to transition joints not been working at all carry out the cable (connecting the since May this year. replacement, but this submarine export cables Our annual review of Eon admitted that has yet to be confirmed. to onshore wires) buried the state of play in although it can export The developer said in the beach failed, the global offshore power from all 30 the period between the causing one of the three wind energy sector. Scroby turbines through old cable being removed circuits to be taken out the remaining two and the new cable being of service for repairs”. 14-PAGE FOCUS BEGINS ON PAGE 5 cables, maximum output installed would allow The ongoing loss of is constrained to 40MW. the seabed to settle. the cable through the Microgeneration ‘a must’ Commenting on the Eon has had a number A new report from the Renewables Advisory Board decision to replace of cable problems, as CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 has calculated that the UK government’s zero carbon homes policy could drive a market for on- site generation worth £2.3 billion a year from 2016. Finance deal kicks off 30MW Lissett

PAGE Developer Novera manufacturer Nordex agreement is also in 19 Energy has closed a has been signed on to place with output Oyster beds down in Orkney £31.5 million financing provide its 2.5MW N90 heading for Scottish and Aquamarine and the European Marine Energy Centre deal with investment machines under an Southern Energy. expect to finalise a contract for the installation of house Fortis that will engineering, procurement Lissett will be built the developer’s Oyster wave power converter on see construction of the and construction on a former World War Orkney before the end of the month. 30MW Lissett wind farm contract. II airfield near PAGE 20 in Yorkshire start later A power purchase Bridlington. this year with full operation in late 2008. Experts in Wind Energy Total costs at the 12-turbine project have Garrad Hassan & Partners Ltd. been set at £37.7 Over 23 years experience providing million. As first products, services and training for reported in reNews in www.naturalpower.com the wind industry. June, German turbine wind, wave & tidal www.garradhassan.com

2 news reNews 22 November 2007 Briefs Vestas probes V47 turbine collapse Vestas is launching a dismantled and tests normal. Vestas, which • Former Repower chief detailed investigation run to determine the commissioned the Fritz Vahrenholt is to into the collapse of a exact cause of the turbine in November take over RWE’s new V47 turbine (pictured) accident earlier this 2001, said there “is no Essen-based renewables at ScottishPower’s month. The 63m turbine early indication unit RWE Innogy as the 22MW Beinn an Tuirc collapsed, the tower whatsoever that there is German utility seeks to wind farm in Scotland. bending in half, during a serial inherent safety turbines should have quadruple green The company has high but not unusual issue with this their maximum speed generation. been given the all-clear winds. particular tubine class”. pause adjusted to 15 to move the nacelle Initial reports However, as a result metres per second from • Nordex posted nine- from the project site on suggested some sort of of the incident the UK 25 m/s, and that auto month earnings before Kintyre to its nearby control problem Health and Safety resets should be limited interest and taxes of Campbeltown facility. prevented the machine Executive has suggested to five within a 24-hour €23.3 million, up from The unit will be from shutting down as that V47 and V52 period rather than 10. €12.1 million last time. •Gamesa enjoyed a Radar blip the last hurdle for 256% jump in earnings before interest and taxes to €284 million giant 500MW for the nine months to Ministers in Edinburgh farm to date has been imminent approval of Est (formerly Amec November, including appear ready to “recommended”, albeit the 173-turbine scheme. Construction) is third-quarter profits of sanction the 500MW pending resolution of a Sources said “a understood to have €95 million. Clyde wind farm in National Air Traffic solution to the radar been named as southern Scotland once Safety En Route issue is in hand”, preferred civil • Npower is exploring concerns over civilian objection. although details were engineering contractor. the potential for an radar impacts are The letter details a not revealed. Clyde is expected to eight turbine wind farm addressed by developer technicality that means This suggests a take three years to on a former World War Airtricity. the NATS objection sanction from ministers build and will be II airstrip on Cotton The Scottish must be settled prior to could come this year, located along the M74 Farm, Huntingdonshire. government issued a consent, rather than as although it is more corridor south of letter to the developer a “suspensive” condition likely early in 2008. Glasgow. • Nuon’s plans for a acknowledging that of consent, but Contracting on the The project holds a 12-turbine project at consent for the otherwise appears to job is already at an grid connection offer Nant Bach have been country’s biggest wind clear the way for advanced stage. Morgan for December 2009. refused by Conwy Council on the recommendation of planning officials. Evelop buys stake in Eon replacing Scroby wire

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 managed availability of • Iberdrola Renewables German offshore farm 84.2% in its first full has been valued at Econcern subsidary wind farm in the North crucial windy winter year of operation. In its between €20 billion and Evelop has taken a Sea would start months is also likely to second, availability was €28 billion ahead of its majority stake in the construction before the impact on electricity dented further by the planned flotation over up-to-400MW Gode Wind end of 2011 based on production. cable failure and overall the next few weeks. 1 project being turbines of at least 3MW. Scroby has been hard the farm only mustered developed by German Gode Wind 1 was learning for Eon. The 30 75.1%. • Canadian company company Plambeck Neue granted approval by the Vestas V80 turbines • Scanrope Subsea Altagas has signed a Energien some 33km German Maritime and have been plagued by parent Scan Subsea was contract for 34 Enercon north of Norderney. Hydrographic Agency in problems with gearbox last week purchased by turbines for its Bear The Dutch company August 2006. Water bearings and US company Parker Mountain project in said this week that the depths at the site are generators. Hannifin in a deal worth British Columbia. 80-turbine offshore between 28m and 33m. The farm only around $260 million. Repower at double in US Repower has signed a deal to provide 25 MM92 turbines to US company The total solution for balance Cannon Power for its of plant and grid connections WWWLMGLASlBERCOM Windy Point wind farm in Washington state. Howard Sanger 3TRIVINGTOREDUCETHECOSTOFENERGY The 50MW deal Business Development Manager doubles the turbine M 07795 377 028 company’s US customer E [email protected] ,-'LASlBER base. Delivery is scheduled for next year. www.mcnicholas.co.uk 22 November 2007 reNews wind 3 Briefs Developers sound the Blaengwen • Ridgewind is to appeal challenge against local authority retreat across Scotland rejection of its 10-turbine Developers across developer is now Airtricity to confirm its fails at the Wandylaw project near Scotland are scaling seeking to move forward plans for the wind farm Berwickshire following a back or abandoning with only two turbines. and, having spoken to High Court last-minute objection projects in the face of a Amec is also cutting West Dunbartonshire The High Court has from the Ministry of planning system that back, this time on an Council about its tossed out an Defence last month. continues to impose already rejected Section objections, Airtricity application for a Planners recommended constraints and delays 36 bid. has decided not to judicial review of approval of the up to on larger schemes. The company is proceed with the Catamount Cymru Cyf’s 30MW scheme. Anglo-Dutch company initiating “community application.” consented 30MW Infinergy confirmed this engagement” in pursuit More retreats could Blaengwen wind farm in • Your Energy has been week that it has of a smaller version of be on the way. Carmarthenshire. re-issued with planning withdrawn a Section 36 its Clashindarroch farm A spokesperson for The judge ruled that permission for its application for an in Aberdeenshire. the Scottish government “no arguable case in law six-turbine Parham wind up-to-150MW wind farm Airtricity, meanwhile, said that while a is disclosed on any of farm in Suffolk without at Tom nan Clach in the last week officially systematic review of the the grounds put the tip height extension Highlands. withdrew a long-standing Section 36 queue is not forward” by the that would have allowed Instead the developer Section 36 application on the cards, “it would claimant, Janet Dube. output to jump to 12MW. will seek consent from for its 60MW Kilpatrick be fair to say we are Jerry Sturman of local authority project near Glasgow. being more proactive in developer agent Force 9 • A7’s two-turbine councillors for a The developer said: asking developers for Energy said the claim application at Shotten 17-turbine scheme “The Scottish information as “was a cynical attempt Colliery in County around a third of the government asked necessary”. to delay the Durham has been turned original size. A fresh development process by down by councillors application is expected Minnygap gets the boot those who disagreed concerned about its in February. with the council’s legal proximity to an existing Infinergy has also Renewable Energy Systems has been refused and democratic parachuting facility. ditched plans for a permission to build a 15-turbine wind farm at decision”. potential 180MW project Minnygap in southern Scotland. • and forestry called Tullich in Argyll Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council Council vote company Sveaskog have and Bute. agreed with a planning recommendation that signed a deal to build Scaling back in the cited visual and cumulative impacts when tossing downs Drone up to 1500MW of wind far north of Scotland is out the scheme last week. Scottish Borders Council projects in southern North British Elsewhere, the company is appealing against has tossed out plans for at a cost of Windpower, which for local authority rejection of its 13-turbine Wadlow a 22-turbine wind farm around Skr20 billion. the second time is Farm project in Cambridgeshire. at Drone Hill on reducing its Bettyhill The company said that South Cambridgeshire Coldingham Moor. • Finnish manufacturer project on the Skelpick Council has “effectively closed the door to all The development Winwind has signed a Estate in Caithness. wind farms” as a result of its June decision on control committee contract to provide 13 Originally a 100MW Wadlow, which was based on concerns over voted unanimously 3MW turbines to the scheme, then 50MW, the landscape impacts. against the 30MW Aulepa wind farm being project put forward by developed by Eesti Mistral company PM Energia in Estonia. Banks sets out stall in Cumbria Renewables. County Durham company Moss in Cumbria, Bickerton Hills of south Planners recommended • Canadian turbine outfit Banks Developments has north-west England. Cheshire. refusal on the grounds AAER posted third- unveiled plans to build Exhibitions for the An application has of location and tourism quarter losses of C$1.4 a wind farm with scheme, which also been filed in support of impacts. Tip heights had million as it focuses on between 15 and 20 takes in Keekle Head, a 60m met mast on the been set at a relatively a long-term strategy. turbines at Moresby were held this week. site. modest 76m. A full planning application is expected to go to Allerdale and Copeland district QMBOFU  councils in the spring of 5VSCJOF%FTJHO 2008.

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&OHJOFFSJOH  wind farm in the www.pmss.co.uk 4 biomass reNews 22 November 2007 Briefs • Welsh Power is Prenergy on top of the planning to build two “ultra-efficient” green • Dutch company biomass plants of Econcern, the Energy world in south Wales 49.9MW each with Research Centre of the Prenergy Power has full operation planned renewables target. fuelstocks imported via Netherlands and been given the nod to for the end of the Matthew Carse of Newport Docks. investment outfit build a world-leading decade. Prenergy called the Subsidiary Nevis Chemfo are to build a 350MW wood-fuelled “This will be the sanction “a Power is in the first commercial-scale biomass plant at Port biggest biomass plant in groundbreaking step, instance proposing a torrefaction plant to Talbot in south Wales. the world, generating not only for Port Talbot £70 million CHP plant. produce second- Energy Secretary enough clean electricity but for environmentally Feasibility studies have generation biomass- John Hutton granted the to power half of the friendly power been completed and an based fuel pellets. go-ahead for the £400 homes in Wales,” said generation in the UK as application is expected The pellets will be million project Hutton, who added the a whole”. to go to Newport City used for electricity and yesterday, clearing the plant would meet He added: “Using Council next year. heat generation in way for construction to around 70% of the Welsh woodchip from large-scale co-firing or kick off next year with Assembly’s 2010 environmentally substation at Margam 2 in medium or domestic- certified sustainable km away. Construction scale operations. Steven’s Croft opens account forestry, which ensures of the plant, which will Eon has generated first site,” said project harvested trees are be on Associated British • Scottish and Southern power at the 44MW manager Andy Carling. replanted, means that Ports acreage, is Energy has agreed to Steven’s Croft biomass “We have already generation is carbon expected to take around acquire biomass CHP plant near Lockerbie in tested the boiler and neutral and sustainable.” three years. company Slough Heat Scotland. The company various other Prenergy will import Tendering for the job and Power for a total said final testing is components, but this around 3 million tonnes is thought to be at an cash sum of £49.25 underway at the £90 was the first time we’ve per annum of mainly US advanced stage with million. million facility with full run everything together and Canadian wood potential engineering, The deal, expected operation scheduled to as we would during full byproducts to fuel the procurement and to be finalised next start next month. commercial operation.” plant, which will use construction bidders month, sees SSE taking “We started The company said circulatory fluidised bed already in negotiations control of a 101MW CHP generating electricity Steven’s Croft, the UK’s technology. for the plum contract. plant fed mainly by from the plant less than largest dedicated biomass Power will be exported Around 150 jobs will woodchips, biomass and two years after we first , was built via a new underground be created on completion waste paper. broke ground on the on time and on budget. 275kV link to an existing of the scheme.

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Floodgates open There is unprecedented optimism about the sector’s prospects over the next four years but soaring costs and turbine shortages are major risks

Dramatic setting: the Oresund Bridge provides the backdrop for the 110MW Lillgrund wind farm Photo: Vattenfall/Hans Blomberg

lobal offshore wind is the world inside and Nysted, have seen forecast for the following year. moving at last, or at equipment failure eat into As always, these figures come least it will be in Global outlook p6 availability and production. with strong health warnings. In 2008. Next year Britain p7 Developers are now 2009, there has to be a serious promisesG to be the biggest calculating offshore wind question mark over whether Scotland p8 ever for the sector with around Germany p9 capital costs per megawatt the 300MW Thanet farm in the UK will be completed as well 400MW confirmed for Denmark p11 installed at up to £2 million commissioning. (€2.8 million) for near-shore as the 105MW Cote d’Albatre What is more, momentum is Finland p12 farms and even more for those scheme in France. set to continue for at least the Sweden p13 farther out. The following year the following three years. It has Netherlands/Norway p14 This is nearly double where forecast is underpinned by four been said many times before Belgium/France/Spain the industry aspired to be major projects in Germany but this could indeed usher in p16 when it embarked on the constituting more than 1100MW the beginnings of a major Canada/China p17 offshore journey at the start of of capacity, and yet commentators are sceptical industry. US/Ireland p18 the decade. There is certainly There is also a growing whether the economics add up. unprecedented optimism. from 203MW in 2006. This is realisation that projects are Annual investment levels in Airtricity offshore director close to the market’s best year taking many years longer to offshore wind will hit around Torben Andersen said: “There so far — 2003, when 280MW develop than first anticipated. £800 million (€1.12 billion) in is a huge potential for offshore went in — and a continued The British Wind Energy 2008, easily pass £1 billion the wind in Europe. improvement from 2004 and Association has estimated, for following year, and in 2010 top “Supply chain limitations 2005’s dire totals of 60MW and example, that UK projects £2 billion if just a third of will have an impact on the 90MW respectively. spend between six and 13 what is planned gets built. scale achievable in the coming Cumulative global offshore years getting from lease award However, the market faces years. A more developed wind capacity now tops the to installation. severe constraints as it tries to supply chain will be in place 1GW mark with 1123MW in the This year’s reNews global ramp up to boom from bust. A post 2010, enabling offshore to water. But, and this is a big outlook of future plans (page 6) number of recent studies have grow significantly. but, the sector can only shows that 404MW of offshore independently concluded the “The UK is the key market maintain momentum if capacity will be installed in same thing — that turbine at present with a number of governments with offshore 2008, nearly twice the volume shortages represent a big well-developed projects and wind aspirations accept there this year but less than half of threat. strong political support. has been a paradigm shift in the 1000MW foreseen this time KPMG’s recent ‘Offshore Germany also offers huge the costs and timescale for last year. wind farms in Europe’ report potential but will not deliver realising projects. In 2009 the figure jumps to notes: “It is clear that the any significant capacity until Experience also shows that more than 1000MW, roughly current situation is extremely 2011-2012.” technical issues threaten to the same as forecast last time, problematic.” This year has seen a push operating costs even while an explosion in activity It calculates that by 2011 marginal increase in global higher. A number of schemes, seen topping 2500MW comes in offshore installation to 220MW including Kentish Flats, Scroby 2010, with similar levels CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 6 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 2009, bringing in vessels such as the Lisa and two new GLOBAL OUTLOOK suppliers will only have been entrants. Project Size Devloper Capex able to meet some 36.7% of JB109 and JB110 are being 2008 forecast cumulative offshore finalised by Jack-up Barge BV Lynn and Inner Dowsing, UK 194MW Centrica £300m* wind capacity — although it for next year to supplement Alpha Ventus 1, Germany 30MW Eon/Vatt/EWE €84m does put this at a staggering the mainstay A2Sea vessels Sea Kemi, Finland 15MW Winwind €25m* 16,792MW, which is far beyond Jack, Sea Energy and Sea Q7, Netherlands 120MW Econcern €380m* reNews’ estimate. Power, and MPI/Vroon’s Thorntonbank, Belgium 30MW C-Power €130m* In BVG Associates’ ‘UK Resolution. Offshore Wind: moving up a After this things could get Vanern, Sweden 15MW Vindpark Vanern €42m gear’ report for the BWEA, the tight in an absolute sense, 2009 consultancy notes that only although Jack-up Barge is Rhyl, UK 90MW npower £190m* two suppliers, Siemens and planning to build vessels JB116 Gunfleet Sands I, UK 108MW Dong £200m* Vestas, have built a “credible and JB117 for 2010. By this Robin Rigg, UK 180MW Eon £325m* offshore pedigree”. time it is possible A2Sea and/or Thanet, UK 300MW CR&C/Warwick £600m BVG forecasts that by MPI/Vroon may also have 2, Denmark 200MW Dong €560m end-2011 Repower and invested in new capacity. Alpha Ventus II, Germany 30MW Eon/Vatt./EWE €84m Multibrid will have established In the shorter term, though, GEOFreE, Germany 25MW GEO €70m pedigree and by end-2015 it while the industry might be expects three suppliers from a able to get by, the small pool Cote d’Albatre, France 105MW Enertrag €294m pool of six others — including of suitable vessels adds Vanern II, Sweden 15MW Vindpark Vanern €42m DarwinD, Bard, Clipper, GE, friction to the market. 2010 Gamesa and Enercon — to have If and when things go Gunfleet Sands II, UK 64MW Dong £118m* entered the market and wrong, like the crane incident Ormonde, UK 100MW Eclipse £200m established a track record. on the Sea Jack and the spud Walney Phase I, UK 160MW Dong £320m In the long term BVG is can punch-through on the Lisa, Greater Gabbard, UK 500MW Airtricity £1,000m optimistic that booming already tight development Rodsand 2, Denmark 200MW Eon €560m onshore demand in schedules can be severely Baltic I, Germany 236MW Offshore Ostsee €661m international markets will disrupted with obvious cost Bard Offshore, Germany 400MW Bard €1.12bn eventually work in favour of implications. offshore wind (so far it has Also, the more farms that Meerwind, Germany 200MW Windland €560m done the opposite) as home- come on line the greater the Nordlicher Grund, Germany 320MW GEO/Renergys €896m grown suppliers compete with service and maintenance Bligh Bank, Belgium 330MW Belwind €800m* current European majors. requirement, and the history Hywind, Norway 2.3MW StatoilHydro Nkr170m* “It is anticipated therefore of the sector shows this will Thorntonbank II, Belgium 90MW C-Power €240m* that there will be growing inevitably demand a proportion Shanghai, China 100MW China Datang €280m readiness for European wind of the jack-up capacity. 2011 turbine suppliers to service the Geographically, the UK is Lincs, UK 250MW Centrica £500m ‘home’ Europe-dominated now the world-leading market Gwynt y Mor Phase I, UK 250MW npower £500m offshore sector, where their and next year installed Phase I, UK 630MW London Array Ltd £1.26bn advanced technology and capacity in its waters experience can best be used to (currently 400MW, or 404MW if Teesside, UK 90MW EDF £180m mitigate severe operating you include Blyth) will surpass Akrona, Germany 400MW AWE/ABE €1.12bn environments,” writes BVG. Denmark’s. Butendiek, Germany 300MW Airtricity €840m There are other supply Germany still has the Kriegers Flak, Germany 183MW Offshore Ostsee €512m issues, too, including the greatest potential and yet the Bank zonder Naam, Belgium 200MW Eldepasco €500m* availability of construction sense remains that even after NaiKun, Canada 350MW Naikun Wind €$1bn* vessels. cable costs were passed to the Thorntonbank III, Belgium 180MW C-Power €480m* Senior industry sources transmission companies the Trolleboda, Sweden 150MW Vattenfall €420m believe the market will CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 *Developer’s stated capex. If not available capex figures estimated on the “muddle through” in 2008 and basis of £2m/MW (€2.8m/MW) installed

SeaRoc UK Ltd 33 Bond Street Brighton BN1 1RD United Kingdom +44(0)870 224 5431 [email protected] www.searoc.com

Marine and Engineering Specialists to the Renewable Energy Sector 22 November 2007 reNews world offshore 7

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 economics for development are Britain leads break-out not right. Elsewhere, a lack of price his year will go down as Best-in-class support regime set to put support (Sweden, Norway, one of the most positive Ireland, the Netherlands) and T in the short, turbulent a fire under turbine installation rates evolving regulation (Spain, the history of the UK offshore wind US and again the Netherlands) industry, not so much for the remain over the offshore 54 Siemens 3.6MW turbines, are conspiring to hamper level of capacity commissioned transmission regime, and the cumulative UK capacity will developer ambition. but more because of the development process is taking jump by nearly 50% with According to KPMG, the UK foundations laid for the future. longer and becoming ever more 194MW going on to the grid. offers the most attractive The key development has complex. Developer Centrica reports terms in Europe with the been the introduction of In a literal sense, 2007 has solid rather than spectacular equivalent of a 13.49 eurocents banding to the Renewables also seen foundations laid on progress with 49 out of 54 per kWh tariff. This jumps to Obligation, two key projects, Lynn and foundations installed as of this 17.03 from 2009 when the 1.5 which gives Inner Dowsing and Robin Rigg, week by the MPI vessel Renewables Obligation band offshore which in 2008 and 2009 will Resolution. comes into force. wind 1.5 underpin a step change in UK A spokesman said: “The Germany by contrast is only ROCs per offshore installation rates. interarray cabling is ongoing. offering 9.1 ct/kWh, Denmark megawatt hour from 2009. This year the 90MW Burbo All our onshore cabling is (based on Horns Rev 2) 6.95, Crown Estate and the Bank scheme was successfully installed and work on our new France 13.0, Sweden 6.19 and Department for Business commissioned by Dong Energy, onshore substation is Spain 12.03. Enterprise and Regulatory and Talisman installed and progressing. Our intention is to KPMG calculates a range of Reform this year also kicked commissioned a 5MW turbine install all 54 turbines next year internal rates of return for the off early work on Round 3. A at its Beatrice oilfield. with power from the first main offshore markets. The UK scoping consultation on the In this way turbine turbines being generated in comes out top at around 13.4%, exercise is due from installation rates of around 30 the summer sometime.” climbing to 19.5% in 2009. government in early December. units a year continued at On Robin Rigg, Eon’s hopes For Germany, however, the The sweetened ROC, which roughly the same pace as seen of beginning on the current rate is put at just 1.2% according to KPMG makes the in 2003 (North Hoyle), 2004 foundations in September were and even with proposals under UK by far the most attractive (Scroby Sands), 2005 (Kentish sunk by an incident that discussion to sweeten the market for offshore wind, Flats) and 2006 (Barrow). damaged the installation tariff to 14ct/kWh that only comes as costs are rising, But next year, when Lynn rises to 8.8%. uncertainties and challenges and Inner Dowsing commissions CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 8 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 to begin in earnest from 2010 on new awards under the vessel Lisa. However, the British break-out planned third round of offshore construction project has real chartering the Resolution to problem that has crippled the licensing. This should inject a momentum in other areas and kick-start foundation work. Kentish Flats farm. Thanet has new wave of construction the company still hopes it can Next year will also see a deal with Vestas for turbine projects into the market from catch up on a relatively construction start on at least supply. around 2015 and herald an era generous timetable targeting two other UK projects: Warwick says it is still of rolling annual offshore wind full commissioning by summer npower’s 90MW and hopeful but the sheer scale of licence awards. 2009. Dong’s 108MW Gunfleet Sands. the 100-turbine scheme Some of the least promising A total of 60 Vestas 3MW These will ensure that the UK dictates that it is going to be first round schemes, such as turbines are planned, giving installation volume for 2009 is difficult to get it all Cromer and Scarweather, and total capacity of 180MW. at least 378MW, almost exactly commissioned by end-2009. indeed the most challenging in A spokesman said: “The Lisa double that seen in 2008. Looking further into the terms of planning, such as is still undergoing repairs in Whether 2009 turns into a future, a serious pipeline of Shell Flats, this year either fell Belfast and she will be over bonanza year depends on second round schemes by the wayside or started to when we’re happy that she is whether CRC and Warwick can including Walney, Greater look like they will never be ready. We still hope to install get the 300MW Thanet second Gabbard, London Array and developed. piles this side of Christmas and round scheme built to meet its Lincs will see construction in The one exception here is we are looking into timetable despite the current 2010, 2011 and 2012 keep up EDF’s Teesside. After three possibilities to supplement the hiatus imposed by Vestas. the momentum established in and a half years in planning Lisa with a second vessel.” The company has suspended 2008 and 2009. this 90MW project finally won It is understood Eon is sales of its V90 3MW turbine At the same time, government sanction this year talking to Centrica about due to a major gearbox development work is expected and could be built in 2011. Talisman plants 1000MW seed off Scotland cottish and Southern SEnergy and partner Talisman Energy are exploring their options for a 1000MW commercial wind farm off the coast of north-east Scotland. Their bullish outlook is the result of the successful commissioning of twin Repower 5MW turbines at the Beatrice offshore demonstrator in the Moray Firth. A grid connection has already been secured for a potential 200-turbine project. A promised strategic environmental assessment by the Scottish government, as well as Crown Estate licensing for the UK’s third round and a still-evolving consents process for offshore schemes in Scotland, will all play some part in when and how the scheme moves ahead. Elsewhere, the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group will Beatrice Field, east coast of Scotland soon erect a met mast to test The second offshore turbine with a total weight of 900 tons has been installed. conditions for its planned 115MW project off the Granite City’s harbour. A full application for the 2%POWER3YSTEMS!'Õ!LSTERKRUGCHAUSSEEÕ(AMBURGÕ'ERMANY 23-turbine wind farm is PHONE    ÕFAX    ÕE MAILINFO REPOWERDEÕINTERNETWWWREPOWERDE expected next year. 22 November 2007 reNews world offshore 9 Feed-in tariff tipping point in Germany erman offshore Developers spared grid bill so support pointing the finger of blame at developers are looking each other than progressing G for changes to the level now key, reports Claudia Schiel work offshore. country’s feed-in tariff to BMU was disappointed by ensure that sustained activity that the planned feed-in tariff connections for offshore wind what it saw as a lack of can evolve in a sector that has will begin to taper off in 2013 farms that start construction pioneering spirit in the promised much but delivered at a rate of 5%. before 31 December 2011. It industry while developers said little. “This rate, which is higher also requires the TSOs to they would continue to Dr Ursula Prall of the than for any other technology, offtake wind power as a concentrate their activities German Offshore Forum for lacks any objective basis,” said matter of priority. abroad as long as market Windenergy (OFW) said that if Prall. The rule has transformed conditions remained an actual industry is to evolve The industry group’s Germany’s offshore landscape. unattractive. from the recommendation is to refrain In 2006, the environment Improving those conditions sector’s from setting any rate, or date, ministry (BMU) and the through the feed-in current until after the presentation of industry spent more time amendment remains key. buoyant the first field reports from mood a initial offshore projects. planned amendment to the It wants to see shorter Front runners on course to feed-in laws must offer a timescales for opting out of greater level of support. supports if developers wish to beat the 2011 grid deadline The first draft prepared by try the open market, some he country is due to take manufacturing six tripod ministry officials proposes 11 financial recognition of offshore Tits first steps into the substructures at its Verdal to 15 eurocents per kWh. wind’s role in providing grid water next year with the first shipyard in Norway to support However, as KPMG’s stability, and an extension of phase of the 60MW Alpha the hardware. ‘Offshore wind farms in Europe’ the 2011 qualification deadline Ventus project at Borkum Delivery and installation is study shows, Britain, France for getting projects into the West. expected next July with and even Spain would remain water. Developers Eon, EWE and erection of turbines and grid more attractive markets even The latter element is part Vattenfall signed on Multibrid connection to follow through if Germany’s offshore wind of a measure adopted last in June for the supply and the summer. allowance were increased to December that requires installation of six M5000 Repower 5M machines are the top end of that range. transmission system operators turbines in 2008. The OFW is also concerned to build and operate Aker Kvaerner is currently CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS: ORGANISER:POWERED BY: 10 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007 Cable ‘motorways’ cut costs and damage ermany is co-ordinating farm clusters will be Gthe planning process for connected via an offshore offshore grid support, which platform functioning like a means transmission cables can multiple power socket. be bundled and then connected The first cable will plug to the onshore grid via a few Alpha Ventus to the 110kV concentrated routes. onshore transmission network. This simplifies planning, Complete commissioning of reduces costs and minimises this first offshore extension is interference with ecologically expected in 2008 at a cost of sensitive coastal regions. €74 million. E.On Netz and Vattenfall Another cable route will Transmission are currently connect the Helgoland 1 and 2 analysing which farms are clusters via Büsum to the likely to start construction transformer station at before the 2011 deadline. Brunsbüttel. Initial results from the study Bundling of transmission show that North Sea capacity routes is not required in the could be, with a very fair Baltic. Distance to shore is not wind, as high as 3100MW, as great, there are no clusters although Joelle Boullion from and no national parks to cross. E.ON Netz said 1600MW is more As a result, Vattenfall realistic. Transmission is planning to “Unfortunately, no regional construct project-specific allocation is possible because cables, investing more than the project developers’ Power in numbers: cable work on Norderney Photo: E.On Netz €700 million to connect the declarations lack reliability,” first four farms. he explained. million to build a 200km high point in Papenburg. Horizontal “The commissioning of four First grid construction work voltage DC transmission line drilling and 1.5km of ductwork projects in the Baltic with an in the North Sea started this capable of handling 400MW will traverse the dikes and overall capacity of 1300MW is summer. from the Isle of Norderney to protective dunes on Norderney. realistic,” said the utility’s E.On Netz is investing €300 the onshore interconnection The Borkum 1 and 2 wind Meike Wulfers. Front runners to beat deadline BWEA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 own foundation system called Tripile and expects to have its slated for installation on phase in-house 5MW turbine Delivering the UK’s wind, wave and tidal energy two of Alpha Ventus in 2009 available. Outside of Borkum West Two prototypes of the Bard there are now 15 approved VM turbine were installed in projects in the North Sea and October at the onshore six in the Baltic. Rysumer Nacken test field. Under current market Installation of the first conditions, however, only a commercial turbines at the few hopefuls are likely to Borkum 2 wind farm cluster is make the 2011 grid deadline. scheduled to kick off in spring Join us at the BWEA Christmas Reception, Bard Offshore was granted 2009, although full operation is incorporating BWEA Connect, the go-ahead in April and in unlikely before 2010/2011. the first phase 80 turbines of Swiss company Renergys and 12 December 2007, St James’s London 5MW will be installed 100km German outfit GEO are firming To be added to the guest list email [email protected] off the Isle of Borkum in up plans for the Nördlicher waters around 40m deep. Grund wind farm. A legal clash The developer is covering a with the developers of BWEA Forthcoming Events number of construction jobs Sandbank 24 ended with an BWEA Christmas Reception, BWEA Offshore 08 in-house, which makes the agreement that will see incorporating BWEA Connect 4 June 2008, London planned commissioning around Nördlicher reduced to 64 12 December 2007, London Sponsored by SeaRoc the end of the decade either turbines of up to 5MW. BWEA Health & Safety 08 BWEA Wales 08 more likely or more risky, The project will be built in 29 January 2008, Manchester 10 July 2008, Cardiff depending on who is asked. the Helgoland 2 cluster around BWEA Marine 08 BWEA30: 30th anniversary This June Bard placed an 86km from the Isle of Sylt and 28 February 2008, Edinburgh conference and exhibition order at PC Western Shipbuilding 108km from Helgoland. Sponsored by SeaRoc 21-23 October 2008, ExCel London in Klaipeda, Lithuania, for a The developers have yet to jack-up with integrated tower select a turbine manufacturer. 2008: BWEA’s 4th decade representing the UK renewables industry crane to be called Wind Lift 1. www.bwea.com The company has developed its CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 22 November 2007 reNews world offshore 11 ome-town team Dong Energy is assembling the H remaining pieces of the Next generation keeping contracting puzzle at its 200MW Horns Rev 2 project off the west coast of Denmark. Denmark at warp speed Onshore preparation is already Horns Rev 2 construction to kick off as 51.8 ore/kWh fixed-price underway support over roughly 12 years for the country prepares to test 10MW turbines agreed between then-bidder 90-turbine Energi E2 (since merged with scheme off work. A final turbine contract mounting of turbines using its Dong) and the Danish Blavand Huk has yet to be signed, although Sea Power and Sea Energy government. It is thought the near Esbjerg ahead of Siemens is widely vessels in 2009. drawn-out negotiations reflect mobilisation of A2Sea vessel acknowledged as the likely Budgets on Horns Rev 2 have those financial constraints. Sea Jack in the middle of next supplier. A2Sea will tackle been described as “quite Danish company Semco year for on-water foundation transport, installation and difficult” in the wake of the Maritime has already started work on a design and build CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Front runners to The first construction phase contract for a 24-person will see the installation of 51 accommodation unit for Operation is scheduled for beat deadline turbines of 3.6 MW and the deployment at the wind farm, 2010 but could slip to 2011. approvals since February and second 29 turbines of 5MW. the first such structure to be GEO’s five-turbine test field could be installed as soon as Commissioning of phase one is deployed in the sector. GEOFreE is also moving ahead. next year, although again it is slated for 2009-2010. The module, to be placed Turbines of up to 5MW will be likely to slip to 2009. Baltic 1 lies 13km north of atop a monopile foundation, installed 20km off the coast of Offshore Ostsee Wind, the the Fischland-Darss-Zingst will be bridge-linked to the Ostholstein in 21m of water. pairing of WPD and Wind- peninsula and will consist of 21 Energinet.dk transformer station GEOFreE’s purpose is to projekt, is chasing construction turbines of 2MW to 2.5MW each and will host maintenance and examine the operational of the Kriegers Flak1 and Baltic in water depths of 16m to overhaul staff during the performance of large turbines 1 offshore wind farms, both of 19m. Commissioning is summer season once Horns Rev in the open sea, and the which have full approvals from pencilled in for before 2010. 2 is operational. company wants to gear up for marine regulator BSH. Both wind farms will be Delivery of the 400-tonne its larger projects and test out Kriegers Flak 1 will be 35km connected with a joint cable structure, which is being built its own offshore services. north of the Isle of Rügen in to the onshore substation at in Esbjerg, is scheduled for The project has had all its water depths of 20m to 42m. Bentwisch near Rostock. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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To find out more about our wind technology and ecomagination – GE’s commitment to cleaner, more efficient technology solutions, visit us at www.gewindenergy.com www.ge.com/ecomagination. 12 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007 Finland tiptoes Denmark keeping up warp speed into the water CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 elements including turbines installation of experimental Finland has entered the world are currently being costed. offshore wind turbines as part offshore market — just — with June 2008. Foundations for the The developer will receive a of a wider initiative to pursue the installation of a trio of job are being provided by a set price of 49.9 ore/kWh for technological advances in the WinWind 3MW turbines on joint venture of Aarsleff/ the first 10TWh of operation, sector. near-shore artificial islands in Belfinger & Berger with or about 12 years. The Danish Energy Authority Ajos Harbour in Kemi. delivery scheduled for spring Energinet.dk, together with has nominated sites off The first phase development 2008 and installation kicking SEAS-NVE, has responsibility Frederikshavn and in the for PVO-Innopower includes off in June. Around 70km of for providing grid Nissum Bredning for possible two onshore cables are being supplied by infrastructure up to and deployment of so-called Series machines Nexans. Full operation at including an offshore 0 turbines, which would and will be Horns Rev 2 is on scheduled for transformer station for the feature capacities of up to joined in late 2009. wind farm. 10MW each and tip heights of phase two by Denmark’s other next- When complete Rodsand 2 at least 150m and up to 200m. a further five offshore units generation project is planned will be Denmark’s 10th The offshore site at next year. for a site near the existing offshore wind project. Frederikshavn, which is Elsewhere, Germany’s WPD Nysted offshore wind farm. Eon In the Baltic, German already home to four has unveiled plans for a 400MW Sverige will make a final developer WPD and partner machines, could accommodate wind farm on Suurhiekka shoal investment decision on building Wind-projekt are pursuing an a further six turbines with no in the Gulf of Bothnia. WPD the 200MW Rodsand 2 project “open door application” for an limit on total power. Finland Oy is planning up to 80 before the end of this year. up to 455MW project in the The Nissum Bredning site, turbines 25km east of Haukiputaa. Eon was granted the final Danish sector of Kriegers Flak. which is on an inlet along Environmental work and go-ahead for the scheme late WPD, which has already Denmark’s west coast, would permitting is already underway last month with construction achieved consent with similar require some grid in a process that will last slated to start in 2009 and full projects in the Swedish and reinforcement if a possible 10 several years. Construction is operation expected in 2010. German sections of Kriegers machines are to break 40MW. not expected before 2012. Rodsand 2 will cover 35 Flak, is hoping to investigate The site is also home to Also testing the waters is square kilometres and when possibilities for an offshore existing turbines. home side Fortum, which has set completed will provide 2% of development some 25km to the The first Series 0 machine up a dedicated team to explore Danish electricity use. east of the island of Mon. could be up and running before potential wind projects in its Foundations will be gravity Elsewhere, Denmark is the end of 2008, according to core Baltic Rim markets. base and along with other laying the foundations for the DEA.

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Contact: Louise Harrison +44 (0)1670 357 621 [email protected] 22 November 2007 reNews world offshore 13 he 48-turbine Lillgrund wind farm near the T Oresund Bridge is the Sweden runs out of steam first new wind farm built in Lillgrund set to go some mechanism is in place. 230 turbines. On the horizon Sweden since 2001 and is likely Suggestions on the table are for compatriot company to be the last until the country live but industry thought to include direct Vattenfall is the 30-turbine decides on the best way to looking for more subsidies or changes to grid Trolleboda wind farm in the support offshore projects. connection policies to match Kalmar Sound. The scheme is All the Siemens 2.3MW government help those in Denmark and Germany. currently being considered by machines are now in place at A government committee is the Environmental Court with a the Skr1.8 of array and export cables and expected to report on the decision due in January. billion Norwegian outfit Eide for issues this month. Assuming board approval, Vattenfall installation of gravity base Eon Sverige has put its Vattenfall expects to build the project foundations built by joint sanctioned 24-turbine scheme for 2011. between venture partners Pihl & Sons Utgrunden II project on hold The utility is also pursuing Copenhagen and Malmo. Full and Hochtief. until baseline economics its 128-turbine Kriegers Flak operation at the 110MW Government officials are improve, while the 16-turbine project. Geotechnical work at development is expected currently debating the best Klasarden wind farm originally the 640MW development was before the end of the year. way to support future wind developed by GREP remains carried out over the past two Contractors included Bladt farms with many developers unsold. One source called the summers by GEO ahead of for the transformer substation, insisting that nothing will be project “simply too small for foundation design and ABB for installation and supply built off the country until today’s marketplace”. contracting towards the end of Eon is seeking scale with the decade. Foundations going in at Lake Vanern the government last month A grid connection he world’s first inland end of this year with a fifth to granting permission to erect a application has been filed with Toffshore wind farm entered go in next spring ahead of met mast for what would be a decision expected next year. construction this year with the turbine delivery next summer. the 1000MW Sodra Kriegers Flak, which Vattenfall installation of gravity base Finnish company WinWind, Midsjobanken scheme. purchased from German structures for phase one of the through Swedish supplier The tower is likely to go up developer WPD in 2005, is Gasslingegrund project in Lake Dynawind, will provide 3MW in the Baltic some 100km from likely to be a three-year build Vanern kicking off this summer. turbines for both the first land in spring next year with kicking off in 2013. A total of four of the phase, which will go live next seabed investigation work also WPD, meanwhile, is PEAB-built structures are due year, and the second 15MW on the menu. Eon is likely to considering a trio of projects to be in place in 6m of water phase, due to come on stream pursue Sodra Midsjobanken as on the Swedish side of the Gulf in western Sweden before the in 2009. a project of between 180 to of Bothnia.

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Denmark United Kingdom Germany A2SEA A/S A2SEA Ltd. A2SEA Deutschland GmbH Karetmagervej 11 DK-7000 Fredericia Tel. +45 75 92 82 11 A2SEA.COM 14 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007 Floating foundations all Netherlands looks the rage for Norwegians for way through The Norwegian Water StatoilHydro has a pair of Resources and Energy floating turbine projects on Directorate (NVE) is its books as it continues to government maze scheduled to make the call on explore the potential for permitting for the 1500MW establishing large-scale wind Irish developer scores rare permitting Havsul wind farm off the west farms in deeper waters on the success in sea of wind farm proposals coast early next year. continental shelf. NVE officials are expected Siemens has joined forces irtricity has picked up a up-to-375MW Scheveningen to recommend a number of with the so-called Hywind second ‘preliminary Buiten in the same area as the changes to the scheme as it project originally pioneered A licence for development’ only projects out of 72 emerges by Norsk Hydro and will off the Netherlands, snaring proposed for acreage off the from this provide a 2.3MW turbine for a the exclusive rights to build Netherlands to advance first phase full-scale floating the 350MW Breeveertien II successfully to this stage. of planning, demonstrator that could go in wind farm off Ijmuiden. The latest additions to an with the the water in 2009. The award from the Ministry ever-growing list of proposals three Installation is planned for of Transport, Public Works and come from parallel schemes of 350MW, either a near-shore location Water Management gives the Dutch outfit 350MW and 800MW likely to off the island of Karmoy or Irish developer the opportunity Eneco be scaled back. adjacent to an oil or gas to carry out full environmental Energie, Officials at the Oil and platform, although both work and consultation, and, if which is Energy Department will in any options could go ahead. successful, move towards involved in the Q7 wind farm. case review the NVE decision, Pre-merger Statoil, construction. The company filed initial putting final approval well meanwhile, invested Nkr75 Breeveertien II would paperwork at the tail end of into 2009. Work on the Nkr12 million in floating foundation feature at least 70 turbines in last month in support of seven billion wind cluster is company Sway in a move that water depths of 19m to 25m. schemes of between 151MW expected to start in 2010 could see a five-turbine Construction is slated for 2012. and 328MW each. with first turbines going up in demonstrator installed in The scheme joins Airtricity’s The clamour for offshore 5m to 20m of water by 2013. deep water off Utsira starting 284MW West Rijn wind farm off Elsewhere, newly merged in 2012. Scheveningen and Evelop’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Just another day at the office…

Vestas has insta lled 69% of a ll of fshore w ind t urbines in the world.

vestas.com 22 November 2007 reNews world offshore 15

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 acreage is at odds with government progress towards support and indeed definition for the sector. Government ambitions to have 450MW of new wind installed by 2010 are well- known but the means by which the target will be reached have yet to be established. Previous promises of €1 billion have been dropped. One government source indicated that while an as-yet-undefined financial support would be forthcoming, Q7 playing neither the amount nor the means by which successful catch-up developers would be judged has yet been identified. “At some point all the The 120MW Q7 wind farm off the Netherlands following a crane collapse in the summer and names are going to go into a is heading for operation next spring. will be hoping to make quick work of box and then developers will However, the project is unlikely to meet erecting more than 30 remaining Vestas be drawn out as winners,” said original timetables of full power by March V80s. Storms permitting, all the machines the source. “My opinion is that due to adverse weather conditions and are now due up by early next year. whoever offers the cheapest well-publicised problems with its preferred Econcern, Eneco and Energy Investment price per MW will go forward installation vessel. Holdings are developing the €380 million in 2010.” A2Sea’s Sea Jack returned to the project with marine constructor Van Oord New plans are being drawn 60-turbine job off Ijmuiden last week leading the on-water charge. Photo: Econcern up for life after 2011, with an oil and gas-style licensing round is expected to receive final at the ministry work to finalise that will apply to all the most likely approach. sanction for at least a year, a series of baseline birds and prospective wind farms in the In the meantime, no project and perhaps longer, as officials habitats environmental studies country’s offshore sector. 16 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007 Ball gets rolling in Belgium One shot at nshore cabling and the the foundations, fabrication of to be Econcern subsidiary French glory manufacture of gravity the remaining elements. Belwind, which is hoping to onstruction work for O base foundations are A pair of Dredging jack-ups reach financial close on its CFrance’s first project at underway for Belgium’s first will be mobilised to the site 330MW Bligh Bank wind farm Cote d’Albatre is provisionally offshore wind farm. Full 46km from shore next June to early next year. scheduled to start in the operation of the 30MW first install the wine-glass shaped Geotechnical work and waters off Normandy next year. phase of the Thorntonbank gravity bases in 23m of water. seabed investigations have Norway’s Aker Kvaerner has project is expected by autumn The turbines are due to arrive been completed for the 66-plus begun fabrication of seven 2008. in August and September. turbine development with tripod foundations for Enertrag Repower A second phase of 18 5MW negotiations already underway and Multibrid’s 21-turbine will provide turbines is scheduled for 2010 to secure long lead items. scheme, which will total six of its 5M while a final phase of 36 Construction in up to 35m of 105MW when turbines to turbines will go forward in water 40km from shore is complete. the C-Power development, 2011. C-Power holds an option scheduled to start in 2008 with Delivery with Dredging International with Repower for supply of the full operation in 2010. of the bases leading the construction, headline hardware. Elsewhere, development is expected installation and, in the case of Next into the water is likely consortium Eldepasco is hoping next September, although for final sanction on its whether installation will take Giants only need apply in Spain 36-turbine Bank zonder Naam place in 2008 or 2009 remains pain is paving the way for expected to be completed by wind farm in the near future a question. Aker is targeting a Sup to 3000MW of offshore next July. with hopes of moving forward contract for the remaining 14 wind by 2020 via a new Sources active in the with the 216MW scheme off tripods for 2009 but this has licensing system scheduled to country said the new system is Knokk-Heist in the early part yet to be placed. be in place likely to force smaller players of the next decade. Cote d’Albatre will be built for late out of the Spanish offshore, Eldepasco includes in 30m of water near the coast 2008. leaving big companies renewables outfit Aspiravi, between Le Havre and Dieppe. The new including Acciona, Endesa and supermarket group Colruyt, A promised licensing round regime will Gamesa joint venture Capital marine construction company has failed to materialise so open up parts of the country’s Offshore both to pursue Depret, and renewables far, leaving investors such as 4000km coastline to long-standing schemes off Cabo developer Electrawinds. The Shell, Total and Gamesa with development, based largely on de Trafalgar as well as new scheme is expected to cost little to show for what are the results of an impact study projects elsewhere. €500 million. thought to be ambitious plans.

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bi]d_\VVgY#Xdb 22 November 2007 reNews world offshore 17 aiKun Wind Energy goes into an upcoming N competition to provide NaiKun fancies its chances green energy to British Columbia knowing a successful bid could see the developer in renewable power race leading the race into the waters off North America. British Columbia call for bids opens the BC Hydro is expected this door for potential North American first spring to ask for bids totalling more than unit purchased from Scottish several projects planned for 5000MW in a company Natural Power in the Great Lakes have been move that September. The tower also postponed or abandoned will dovetail features wave, current and following a moratorium with provincial government scour measurement equipment. imposed on development last ambitions to produce a net of Data are being relayed to year. zero greenhouse gas emissions GL Wind Test in Germany as The Ministry of Natural by 2016. well as Axys in BC, with the Resources is conducting studies Several green technologies entire system powered by four into potential environmental are likely to win awards next Ampair 600w wind generators. impacts, leaving Trillium’s summer. NaiKun, expected to Project partners at NaiKun 700MW scheme on Lake Erie be the only offshore bidder, is include Alberta energy and Toronto Hydro’s 60MW confident that its proposed company Enmax. project on Lake Ontario on Full monty: the Hecate Strait 350MW first phase wind farm Elsewhere in Canada, hold. met mast Photo: NaiKun Wind Energy off the Queen Charlotte Islands will find favour. The C$1 billion project in 100MW Shanghai project to open the show the Hecate Straits could kick hina could see its first • Other Asian nations are also described as broadly positive off preliminary construction in Ccommercial-scale offshore exploring offshore. Taiwan is and technical issues such as the summer of 2009. The first wind farm throw the switches promising to open six areas the grid connection are loop of 3MW-plus turbines is in 2010 at a 100MW scheme off for up to 300MW of starting to fall into place. scheduled to provide power via Shanghai. developments via a bidding An offshore met mast will a grid connection to the Official information on the round. In Japan, Mitsubishi is be erected in spring 2009 at mainland in 2010. Full Donghai Bridge project remains suggesting it is ready to get the site using suction caissons, operation of the first phase is slight but it is understood wet after 2010, and Korea is a technological first for Hong pencilled in for 2011. foundations exploring the potential for Kong that has therefore taken Geotechnical work including will begin to home-grown technology off longer to reach approval. seabed surveys for the wind go in next its coast. Construction of the scheme in farm and the cable route have year with 30m of water is currently been carried out this year with turbines Energy Holdings and Shanghai targeted for 2011/2012. no real surprises. Foundations following Green Energy. A feasibility The prospects for wind are likely to be monopiles. either concurrently or the study was carried out by farms off Fujian province are Bird surveys are due in following season. Industrial Info Resources of being considered as part of the spring and summer next year Turbines are likely to be Texas. China Renewable Energy with the submission of a final Chinese-built 1.5MW units to Elsewhere, CLP Holdings and Scale-up Programme in environmental impact be installed in waters up to UK partner Wind Prospect have co-operation with the World statement in autumn 2008. 10m deep east of the bridge, boosted the total size of the Bank and the Global NaiKun hopes to translate that roughly in the middle of a planned Hong Kong Offshore Environment Facility. paperwork into final approval 20km-wide waterway. Wind farm to 200MW before The £20 million study is led by spring 2009. Partners include China submitting environmental work by Scottish company A met mast is already on Datang, Guangdong Nuclear next year. Feedback from site. NaiKun erected a Zephir Wind Power, China Power New major stakeholders has been CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 18 world offshore reNews 22 November 2007 Political crapshoot is taking Irish hopefuls in holding pattern reland’s offshore industry is a savage toll on US projects Istuck in limbo while it waits t’s a case of one step But Cape Wind on road to final approval for outlets to market for what forward and two back in the could be at least 2000MW of I US offshore sector with the for 420MW Massachussetts wind farm wind power. notable exception of Cape The recently formed Wind, whose plans for a developer said Vestas and dropped plans to put a 1.5MW National Offshore Wind 130-turbine wind farm off Siemens remain in discussions. demonstrator turbine atop a Association of Ireland will seek Massachusetts are likely to get A project off New York state disused oil platform. That will support to a boost shortly. that at one time harboured now wait until at least next bring Officials at regulator the ambitions of beating Cape summer if not longer. forward Minerals Management Service Wind to the punch is now out The company remains schemes in are due to release a long- for the count. bullish about prospects off the medium term but any awaited draft environmental There has been no official Texas and recently signed a progress will likely have to impact statement for the cancellation of the 40-turbine deal with state officials for wait for completion of the East 420MW scheme but senior staff at the right to build 300MW wind West Interconnector in 2012. scheme Long Island Power Authority farms in four locations. Dublin officials will reveal later this have made it clear progress Timetables are long term. some clues on the future in the month, under the terms provisionally Bluewater Wind is locked in soon-to-be-released All-island laying the foundations for final agreed with developer FPL state-wide wrangling over its Grid Study, although it is likely approval in the third quarter Energy are unacceptable. ambitions to build a 450MW to fall short of the timetabled of next year. A Cape Wind Also off the radar screen are scheme off Rehoboth Beach in targets and financial support spokesperson said: “We think plans for a 500MW wind farm Delaware. The developer, being sought by developers. we can detect light at the end off Padre Island in Texas. high-profile politicians, action Oriel Wind will soon learn of this tunnel.” Babcock & Brown pulled the groups, utility Delmarva, and whether it has been successful If it gets the green light plug soon after taking control the Public Service Commission in securing a lease for its offshore work will start in 2010 of original developer Superior will all have some say in any planned 330MW project off with turbines arriving in a Renewables. final decision. County Louth. Assuming two-season stretch from 2011. Louisiana outfit Wind Energy Bluewater, as well as approval, the developer is GE has long been in the frame Systems Technologies erected newcomer Allco Renewable confident of building the for the plum job, although the a met mast off Texas but Energy Group, is also looking 66-turbine scheme by 2012. at the possibility of building A met mast is due to go up projects off Rhode Island as on the Clogherhead site next part of that state’s ambitions spring with a foundation REDS to produce up to 15% of its already in place following REACH ENGINEERING & DIVING SERVICES LTD electricity from green sources. installation this autumn. Plans are at the early stages Sanctioned schemes REDS are a key service provider in the UK and overseas of diving and roped for locations off the including Airtricity’s 480MW access services. Massachusetts town of Hull, in Arklow, and Treasury Holdings

Our reputation of working to the the same state’s Buzzard Bay, and Fred Olsen’s 1100MW highest safety standards and on Lake Erie off Cleveland, off Codling Bank, remain alive but delivering quality at all times ensures the Georgia coast and (again a on hold. It appears the 50MW our clients are rewarded with a reliable service and guaranteed results. potential Bluewater target) off Kish and Bray project has been New Jersey. abandoned. As a market leading diving contractor, REDS are able to meet the growing need of the developing renewable Shanghai project to open show energy market. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 essentially in demonstration xTurnkey provider mode until around 2015 when xProject Management SgurrEnergy and will look at current prototype turbine xSecure UK Supply chain methods of providing cost- technology of 3MW to 5MW xClass leading diving systems effective and commercial reaches maturity. and equipment renewables off the south-east “At least three Chinese xSpecific Safe System of Work developed coast of China. manufacturers expect to have for diving on offshore renewable energy projects Oil company CNOOC earlier prototype 3MW-plus turbines this year claimed to be specifically designed for the

Our Vision: installing the first offshore offshore market commissioned

‘‘To provide a market leading, turbine in the region. before 2010 with a view to safe, quality diving service, However, it is understood a having commercial production tailored to the specific needs 1.5MW machine will be erected soon after,” said one source. of the renewable energy atop an existing hydrocarbon “Together with efforts being market’. facility, prompting some made on the feasibility study debate about whether this side of things, this probably Reach Engineering and Diving Services Limited truly qualifies as “offshore”. signals a big push in offshore in Unit G - Great Central Way - Rugby - CV21 3XH +44 (0) 1788 570077 Sources predict China’s a 2013 to 2025 timeframe,” he [email protected] • www.red-services.co.uk offshore sector will remain added. 22 November 2007 reNews politics 19 Editorial Microgeneration SNP budget backs the ‘greening of Scotland’ Europe’s offshore ‘a must for zero The Scottish National Party’s first budget in government has outlined “support for moment of truth delivery” of a greener Scotland, including The mood of Europe’s offshore wind carbon agenda’ a revised renewable generation target of industry as it gathers in Berlin for its A new report from the Renewables 50% by 2020 and 31% by 2011. biennial conference will no doubt mirror Advisory Board has calculated that the UK Also on the menu is a Scottish Climate our global market outlook’s unprecedented government’s zero carbon homes policy Change Bill, support for 10MW of marine positive tone. A record year is planned in could drive a market for on-site renewables by 2010, a three-fold rise in 2008 and, founded on real British generation worth £2.3 billion a year from support for microgeneration to £13.5 momentum, forecast activity levels have 2016. million by 2010/11, and an “ambition” to never looked better. The report, produced by Element cut greenhouse gases by 80% in 2050 over However, the numbers — 400MW next Energy for RAB, finds the electricity load 1990 levels. year — are still tiny even in a wind created by appliances means that The nationalist government also context, let alone in terms of impact on renewables are essential to meeting zero unveiled a £10 million Horizon Prize to the overall energy market. carbon standards even where homes are fund innovation in the renewables sector European governments wrestling with built to the highest levels of energy to sit alongside the already launched how to deliver their 2020 renewable efficiency. It identifies biomass CHP and annual £2 million Saltire Prize. energy commitments actually have an solar photovoltaics as the key post-2016 Cabinet Secretary for the Environment answer in offshore wind. As we have said technologies. Richard Lochhead said: “The investment many times before, here is a technology The RAB makes three main will be targeted to help us make much potentially with nuclear scale. recommendations to government. First, greater use of our substantial renewable Two uncomfortable truths have change policy to create earlier stimulation energy resource and to reduce the climate become apparent over the last five for on-site renewable energy, for example change emissions from transport, housing difficult years, however. The first is that by encouraging local authorities to use the and business.” offshore wind will always cost more than planning system to require zero carbon Other measures include £154 million to twice as much as onshore wind. The standards in the largest housing push Scotland closer to becoming a second is it takes a long time to develop. developments in advance of 2016. zero-waste society, £45 million for new It is ironic that the UK, the country Second, accelerate the technological carbon-sink woodlands, and £30 million perceived as not doing enough to and commercial development of biomass for a new Sustainable Development and encourage investment in renewables CHP, for example by making deployment Climate Change Fund. because of its lack of feed-in tariffs, is of the technology a priority of the seen as the most attractive market at the Environmental Transformation Fund. Climate bill curtain up moment for offshore wind. Third, minimise the use of remote The UK government this week introduced Ask any developer on the ground how off-site energy generation in meeting zero a “world first” 50-year Climate Change great things are, though, and they will carbon standards by setting a tight cap on Bill that will lay the groundwork for a list a raft of difficulties ranging from its use and a high “buy-out” cost for any low-carbon economy with clear, legally transmission delays and costs to ever off-site generation fund. binding targets to reduce emissions by at increasing planning constraints. Then add RAB microgeneration working group least 60% by 2050. The bill also calls for the now-critical global equipment supply chairman Matthew Spencer said: “The interim cuts of 26% to 32% by 2020 based constraints. zero carbon policy is long-sighted and on 1990 levels. As a result it is going to be very bold, and could produce big environmental Other elements of the legislation include difficult for the UK to hit much more than benefits in existing and new homes if it is a series of five-year carbon budgets, set a third of the 23GW it is thought to need used to accelerate the development of 15 years ahead, to “give investors and to meet a target of producing 20% of decentralised energy services and policymakers certainty and direction”. energy from renewable sources by 2020. technology. Also included is the establishment of a European governments face a stark “However, the government’s current Committee on Climate Change, a new reality. If they want the kind of volumes timescale postpones much of the hard system of “transparent” progress reports of offshore wind needed to deliver on work until 2016 with little opportunity to to Westminster, and the introduction of their green power promises a sustainable learn or build capacity in the UK on-site new emission trading schemes. commercial market has to be created renewables sector in the next eight today. Many are nowhere near. years.” US cap-and-trade coup He said if this is not addressed it could Six states in the US Midwest as well as the Plenty of room in Wales slow housebuilding but there are options Canadian province of Manitoba have signed The sanction of Prenergy’s 350MW to overcome this supply gap. “These a pact to implement a cap-and-trade biomass plant in Port Talbot marks a include using the planning system to system for greenhouse gas emissions. step-change for renewables in Wales. require earlier uptake of renewable The Midwestern Regional Greenhouse However, fears have been expressed energy in larger housing developments,” Gas Reduction Accord is aimed at multiple that local authorities, as well as some said Spencer. sectors including electric utilities and will within the Welsh government itself, could The Renewable Energy Association be “consistent with the 60% to 80% use the biomass plant as an excuse to welcomed the report and, among other recommended by the Intergovernmental block otherwise valid wind schemes. things, called for the introduction of a Panel on Climate Change”. Planning regimes, both local and “generous feed-in tariff for on-site A further two states joined in an energy national, need to be reminded this is not renewable electricity along the lines of strategy aimed at boosting biofuels, boosting an either/or situation. Prenergy’s success the scheme that has been successful in the use of renewable electricity and should not come at the expense of others. Germany”. improving transmission infrastructure. 20 marine reNews 22 November 2007 Scottish contenders have Oyster team gets ready new prize fund to chase Scottish Enterprise is include subsea connectors, for bed at EMEC berth launching a new oceanographic Aquamarine and the Orkney, rather than the competitive fund for the instruments, anchoring European Marine Energy deeper water more country’s wet renewables and seabed monitoring Centre expect to usually associated with sector that will support devices, plus direct finalise a contract for wave devices. up to 50% of project drive low speed the installation of the Aquamarine is now development costs. generators. developer’s Oyster wave two years into research The agency Precise criteria for power converter (right) to develop the Oyster’s confirmed that large or judging applications, on Orkney before the capacity to pump small-scale applications and the total pot end of the month. seawater directly into would be considered available, will be The company has all Isleburn Mackay and desalination stations. from those already unveiled in the near the necessary planning Macleod’s facility at the The company has active in the business as future. arrangements in place Nigg yard north of partnered with the well as from companies Further information with the development Inverness. Institute Technology using technologies is available from the only awaiting Maritime Aquamarine has Canaria on the adaptable to marine Scottish Enterprise and Coastguard Agency redesigned the Oyster development. renewables, such as oil Energy Team on 01224 consent before the foundation installation Meanwhile, following and gas outfits. 252 000. go-ahead. system to be less its merger with SSE Areas earmarked for Work to connect the weather critical. subsidiary Renewable potential investment [email protected] device to the EMEC The company’s Technology Ventures wave facility at Billia research found that Ltd, Aquamarine is Islay run-out for turbine Croo should kick off in longer weather windows working to finalise the is preparing to turbine that have been early 2008, the first are becoming more engineering design of pilot test a new turbine derived from computer new unit to go in at the erratic at EMEC, the 2MW Neptune tidal on Islay as part of analysis. test centre since the necessitating device. npower’s 4MW Siadar “We will run the OpenHydro machine. installation platforms Construction of a Wave Energy Project. initial tests with the Both the base frame that can operate in full-scale unit is The modified Wells aim of confirming the and oscillating sections more challenging seas. scheduled for 2008 with turbine, which will be performance of the are now fully The 300kW to 600kW deployment at EMEC’s installed at the existing improvements, followed fabricated, and are Oyster will be deployed tidal facility pencilled Limpet facility on the by longer-term testing being painted at in a near-shore area off in for 2009. Scottish island, should be for up to a year to ready to begin testing establish and verify Briefs at the start of 2008. essential reliability.” Wavegen general The programme is • Simon Meade has 2002. No replacement off Newport. Finavera manager Dave Gibb backed by Scotland’s parted company with has been named. said the information said: “We are applying Wave and Tidal Energy tidal company Lunar gathered from the buoy modifications to the Support scheme. Energy to set up on his • Irish-Canadian outfit before it went down own. The former chief Finavera Renewables would lay the Navigation help on offer executive was unwilling has elected to leave its foundation for the next The Chamber of Trebinski outlined the to comment on his sunken Aquabuoy 2.0 in generation device. Shipping is encouraging navigational risks posed departure, but a the water until it can be It would also marine renewables to shipping by offshore spokesperson for Lunar safely retrieved, “accelerate the route to developers to come to renewables. said: “Simon Meade left suggesting the device commercialisation”. the table as early as “From a development to promote his own could remain on the possible when planning viewpoint we can help, financial consultancy seafloor off Oregon until •Finnish utility Fortum installations off the UK. perhaps identifying and we wish him well.” after the winter. has acquired an 8.4% Speaking at the potential sites that are They separated on The wave energy share of AW Energy, the Scottish Renewables good but others could amicable terms, the converter suffered compartiot company marine conference in be problematic from a spokesperson added. “buoyancy issues” behind the WaveRoller Dundee earlier this shipping perspective.” The now ex-CEO had towards the end of its device. A prototype is month, the chamber’s overseen developments recent test programme already installed in nautical consultant Ian [email protected] at the company since and was lost in the seas Peniche, Portugal.

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