The Crown Estate plans to develop a demonstration offshore wind project in water depths of about 100 metres, off the Scotland’s west coast. The authority held a consultation with around 50 stakeholders and public bodies, planning to issue a licence to a developer who would construct the demonstration project comprising floating wind turbines.
Senior development manager at The Crown Estate, Ronnie Quinn , told the Herald Scotland that they are in the early stages of planning a Round 4 of offshore wind development, which could be bigger that Round 3.
“If we can get test-and-development turbines in the water by the second half of this decade, then you are talking about needing a couple of years to gather data. The mid-2020s for commercialisation would seem doable,” Mr. Quinn said.
Proposals are expected to be finished in the following months, after which The Crown Estate will start a tender process or award a selected party with an agreement for lease.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND Staff, November 5, 2012; Image: IDEOL