The two new reports, by MJR Power & Automation and Oasis Marine, consolidated initial findings and also looked at the potential to decarbonise offshore operations using electric crew transfer vessels (e-CTVs) that could be used for wind farms located closer to shore, with findings confirming that this is technically and operationally feasible.

In both scenarios, offshore wind farms would also benefit environmentally and economically, with a significant reduction in both GHG emissions as well as fuel costs, ScottishPower pointed out in a press release on 4 June.