FLOW: Workshop for Policy Makers on Floating Offshore Wind

The event FLOW that happened on January 23rd, within the scope of the Atlantic Strategy, discussed floating offshore wind knowledge, national plans, and targets for European Atlantic country policy makers.

It is of utmost importance that in the coming years there is synergy and cooperation between the marine renewable energy sector and port authorities. It’s only with considerate planning of ports to facilitate these technologies that we will be able to meet floating offshore wind energy targets.

The main outcomes of this workshop can be found below:

From the information presented by the Norwegian counterpart, it was evident that the significant potential for floating offshore wind in European Atlantic countries is being brought to light, in particular when there is a prioritised and mutually beneficial collaboration between policy makers and industry stakeholders. A pivotal insight gleaned from Norway’s advancement in this domain is that a decline in infrastructure costs naturally follows on from experience and industry growth. As each turbine is erected, a deeper understanding of the technologies and solutions best suited to the area emerge, allowing for efficient and cost-effective adjustments.  

The four Atlantic countries, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and France, all have ambitious floating offshore wind targets in place but differ significantly in how those targets were reached, and the current phase of implementation. Public input/social acceptance, environmental and biodiversity impacts, and cooperation with the seafood sector were all emphasised by speakers as being important points of consideration in the planning phases.  

Overall, the future of floating offshore wind in the European Atlantic is promising, with long term policy and ambitious targets in place across all countries.  

 

A survey of the participants to gauge if there is appetite for a subsequent workshop, or series of workshops on this topic is being conducted and if there is sufficient interest in subsequent workshops, next steps will include project team members meeting to determine dates, speakers, and invitee lists.