Falmouth-based Feritech Global has welcomed the UK Government announcement that floating offshore wind development (FLOW) will be accelerated.
In an announcement on Friday (Sep 23), the Government made it clear that not only is Floating offshore wind an essential technology for achieving long-term energy security for the UK, it also wants to speed up the way in which planning policy is implemented, to allow FLOW technology to be deployed more rapidly.
The Chancellor said he wants to see the “vast majority” of consented, planning and pre-lease stage offshore wind projects start construction by the end of 2023. All remaining UK Round 3, Round 4, Extension, ScotWind, INTOG, Floating Wind Commercialisation Projects and Celtic Sea projects are to be “accelerated” under the UK Government’s growth plan.
“These projects may benefit from acceleration through planning reform, regulatory reform, improved processes or other options to speed up their development and construction, including through development consent processes,” said the Government announcement.
Commenting on this move, Rob Ferris, MD of Feritech Global, said: “We fully support this approach and the sense of urgency that it indicates regarding the commercialisation of Floating Offshore Wind in the UK. Development of this technology in the Celtic Sea represents a huge opportunity for Cornwall and the wider south west region.”
Earlier this year, Feritech Global opened a £3 million purpose-built innovation centre in Cornwall. At its launch, Feritech stated that it wanted to use its innovation skills to help meet the engineering challenges of establishing the floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea.
Prof Lars Johanning, programme director of Marine-i, which is part-funded by the EU and is supporting Cornish businesses to accelerate innovation in marine technology, added: “This is great news for the marine tech industry, which will be boosted by this Government initiative. Companies like Feritech Global and other superb local businesses are leading the way in this fast-growing industry worldwide.”
