The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has launched an 18-month programme to progress development of the UK’s proposed national deepwater and floating wind test site, known as DeepWind.
The project aims to move the DeepWind test site from concept into delivery planning, addressing a recognised gap in the UK offshore wind sector as projects move into deeper waters and more challenging metocean conditions.
The programme is supported by 50% match funding from The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator and builds on earlier concept design work undertaken by EMEC.
Addressing a gap in UK offshore wind testing capability
As offshore wind developments increasingly target deeper waters, developers require representative test environments to validate, refine and de-risk floating and deepwater technologies before commercial deployment. Existing test sites elsewhere in Europe do not fully replicate the wind, wave and water-depth conditions associated with projects in the UK development pipeline.
To address this need, EMEC has identified a prospective site around 20 kilometres west of Orkney, offering suitable water depths, seabed conditions and wind speeds to support deepwater and floating wind testing.
Feasibility, design and environmental studies
The £500,000 project will focus on feasibility assessment, design scoping and engagement with industry stakeholders to define infrastructure requirements for the test site. Consideration will be given to logistical and operational needs, including connectivity to ports and alignment with the wider UK offshore wind supply chain.
Environmental scoping and early-stage survey work will also be progressed, including bathymetric surveys, sub-bottom profiling and monitoring of birds and marine mammals at the proposed location.
Indicative location and layout of EMEC’s proposed DeepWind test site.
Supporting innovation and investment in offshore wind
By providing a pathway for deepwater and floating wind innovation, the DeepWind test site is intended to support technology development, attract investment and strengthen the UK’s position in offshore wind research and testing.
Mark Hamilton, operations and technology director at EMEC, said the funding enables the organisation to advance delivery planning for the site.
He said the programme will progress leasing and grid-connection applications and initiate longer-lead environmental studies, moving the project towards full consenting and front-end engineering design.
EMEC plans to undertake a series of engagement activities with developers, original equipment manufacturers, insurers, investors, regulators and community groups as the project progresses.
