US and UK to collaborate on 'floating' wind turbines

Hywind: Siemens and StatoilHydro install first floating wind turbine

The UK and US will work together to develop "floating" wind turbines to harness more offshore wind power at a potentially lower cost, the government said on Monday.


In order to exploit the UK's huge wind resource, which accounts for about one-third of Europe's offshore wind potential, new technology is needed to access waters between 60 and 100 metres deep: too deep for turbines fixed to the seabed, but where wind speeds are consistently higher.

It is hoped that developing the technology will increase the UK's potential for offshore wind power, particularly after 2020, by which time many shallower sites will have been developed.


The energy secretary, Ed Davey, said: "Britain has more wind turbines installed around its shores than any other country in the world, and our market is rated year after year as the most attractive market among investors. Offshore wind is critical for the UK's energy future, and there is big interest around the world in what we're doing.

"The UK and US are both making funding available for this technology, and we're determined to work together to capitalise on this shared intent."



