Swedish utility company Vattenfall has announced the first successful projects for its EUR 3 million research programme aimed at examining the environmental and socio-economic impacts of offshore wind farms.
Believed to be the largest-scale offshore wind research programme of its kind and one which will put Scotland at the industry forefront of research and development, the diverse range of projects selected will be based at Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay.
The successful recipients of a share in the dedicated EOWDC fund, up to half of which is being provided by the European Union, include:
“The announcement of these successful projects including three in Scotland is an exciting one with each having the potential to unlock fascinating new insights into the offshore wind environment and determine influencing environmental factors,” Adam Ezzamel , EOWDC project director at Vattenfall, said.
“The 92.4MW EOWDC test and demonstration facility offers an unmissable opportunity to conduct this pioneering research and monitoring programme. We are pleased to be facilitating such innovative research in the North-east which will bring considerable benefits to the region as well as the industry and policy-making.”
Almost 100 applications from across the UK and overseas were submitted for the research programme with a shortlist of 16 selected by a specialist scientific panel comprised of environmental agencies, scientists, AREG and representatives of Vattenfall. The panel anticipates making a further funding announcement in the near future.
As Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility, the 11-turbine EOWDC is being developed by Vattenfall. Construction of the scheme, which features a number of innovations and industry firsts, started in October 2016 with first power expected in summer 2018.