Offshore Wind Developers Convinced Of UK Government Support
Offshore wind energy developers DONG Energy and Vattenfall are both “optimistic” that the UK Government will back offshore wind farms.
According to news from The Guardian, Danish wind energy giant DONG Energy is reportedly set to commit a further £6 billion in the UK by 2020, being convinced that the UK Government is serious about supporting the development of wind power within its borders. Swedish power company Vattenfall is similarly “optimistic” about the UK Government’s willingness to support wind development, and as has already been reported, is set to move forward with the 100 MW Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm.
In December, Donald Trump — who had filed against the construction of the Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, saying that it was a blight on the landscape, near the planned Trump International Golf Club — had his Supreme Court appeal unanimously dismissed, allowing the Vattenfall-backed project to continue.
DONG Energy — which is in the midst of a number of projects being developed within the UK — was understandably skittish over the recent energy policy decisions made by the UK Government. However, according to Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK division chairman, those fears have since been allayed.
“It was a concern that it took as long as it did [for ministers to recommit to offshore wind] but we have now got it. I think there is the clarity we need to commitment to new investment,” he explained.
“We are optimistic about offshore wind and although we still think there may be potential investment opportunities onshore we are more cautious about that,” added a Vattenfall spokesperson.
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The British government shops for energy like the nouveaux riches of caricature: if it’s more expensive, go for it.
Why not, the investment bankers, the venture capitalists and associated hangers on, the lawyers will all make a killing, but most of the manufacture and raw materials will be sourced from outside of the UK, while us suckers in the UK will have to pay for it in our bills!
Current British leaders are cutting solar incentives and basically banning new onshore turbines so what’s left? Realistically, offshore is the most attractive option for very densely populated European countries. Fortunately they can afford it.