Scottish offshore wind programme launches call for innovation

The first in a series of innovation calls has opened for applications in a programme searching for novel solutions to overcome technical challenges in offshore wind.

This innovation call is part of the £1 million ($1.3 million) Offshore Wind R&I Programme delivered by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), based in Orkney, and sponsored by the West of Orkney Windfarm.

The programme will result in a series of innovation calls aimed at tackling challenges facing the West of Orkney Windfarm in the areas of metocean, installation, logistics, and operations and maintenance (O&M).

The first innovation call will avail £300,000 ($370,000) to projects and successful applicants may also receive support in developing project proposals and accessing additional grant funding.

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According to EMEC, this call is looking for solutions that address at least one of the following challenges:

• Understanding metocean conditions at and en route to the West of Orkney Windfarm site, to inform decision making on installation and O&M activities.
• Design for short weather window installations to maximise opportunities for efficient installation.

Applicants must show clear benefits to the West of Orkney Windfarm and the wider offshore wind sector, supply chain and economy.

The innovation call will close at 1pm on Monday 12 February 2024.

Dr Heather Turnbull, Offshore Wind R&I Programme project manager at EMEC, said: “Working with the West of Orkney Windfarm, we’re aiming to accelerate innovation in the north of Scotland, reducing the time, cost and risk of offshore wind roll out, while enhancing supply chain capacity in the region. This programme aims to help businesses grow and create jobs, bringing skills, capabilities and economic benefit closer to wind farm projects.

“The innovation calls have been designed to support companies explore ways to overcome the technical challenges facing offshore wind developments, giving them the tools needed to help build out offshore wind projects throughout Scotland, the UK and further afield.

“We’re also looking to bring in additional industry sponsors to broaden the remit of the programme to other offshore wind developments across the region.”

West of Orkney

The West of Orkney Windfarm is being developed around 30km off the west coast of Orkney and around 25km from the north Sutherland coast. With an expected capacity of around 2GW, and first power scheduled for 2029, the project will be capable of powering the equivalent of more than two million homes.

In January 2022 the consortium was successful in securing an Option Agreement from Crown Estate Scotland for the project in the ScotWind leasing process.