Consortium of energy firms launch offshore wind R&D programme in UK

Jul 24, 2012 - A consortium of four energy companies operating in Europe on Monday launched a GBP-33-million (USD 51.1m/EUR 42.3m) offshore wind research and development (R&D) programme in the UK, supported by the UK's government.

The consortium members include Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, part of Japanese heavy machinery maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (TYO:7011), UK's utility Scottish and Southern Energy (LON:SSE), or SSE, Technip Offshore Wind, a unit of French oil industry engineering company Technip (EPA:TEC), and UK-based energy services firm Wood Group (LON:WG).

The Efficient Offshore Wind Programme (EOWP) aims to overwhelm challenges in the offshore wind sector, SSE said in a statement yesterday. It is expected to create some 100 jobs in the UK and support the country's efforts in the clean energy sector.

The project started in April 2010, after signing a memorandum of understanding between Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe, the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), and received a government grant of GBP 14 million.

Under the programme, the consortium will study offshore wind farm design elements to improve the viability of offshore wind farms and reduce operational costs. It has to finish a number of projects on more efficient and cost effective offshore wind technology by 2015.

(GBP 1 = USD 1.549/EUR 1.281)

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