UK Offshore Wind Costs Can Fall 40 Percent: Carbon Trust

New technology and careful choice of sites could slash projected costs for Britain’s next round of offshore wind farm project by as much as 40 percent, the Carbon Trust, which advises the government, said on Tuesday.

Capital investment required for Round 3 offshore wind projects could fall to 45 billion pounds ($72.5 billion) from current projections of 75 billion, said officials from the independent body, set up by the government to help Britain meet carbon reduction targets.
While the Round 3 project to build 29 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 is a challenge equivalent to building eight Channel Tunnels in 10 years and requires a step-change in technology, it is achievable, Benj Sykes, Senior Technology Acceleration Manager, told reporters.

He projected that offshore wind farms could supply about 90 terawatt hours of electricity by 2020, comprising the bulk of 151 terawatt hours required from renewable sources.

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