Vattenfall joins Carbon Trust’s wind power R&D programme

Energy giant Vattenfall has joined up to the Carbon Trust's £45m research, development and demonstration programme, which aims to drive down the cost of offshore wind power.


Called the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA), the programme sees the Carbon Trust collaborate with nine wind farm developers to identify and commercialise innovations to reduce the price of offshore wind.

The owner of the second largest fleet of offshore wind farms in the world, Vattenfall has invested more than £1m to join the OWA and partner with other leading wind farm developers, which currently have 60% of licensed offshore wind capacity in UK waters.

The programme aims to reduce the cost of offshore wind by 10% by 2015 and is two-thirds funded by industry and one-third funded by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Carbon Trust head of offshore wind Phil de Villiers said: “Bringing down the cost of offshore wind is an absolute priority for the industry. We believe that industry collaboration on key innovation projects that offer scope for dramatic cost reduction is the best way to go.”

The OWA was set up in 2008 and involves Vattenfall, E.ON, DONG Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power, RWE Innogy, ScottishPower Renewables, SSE Renewables, Statkraft and Statoil – and now Vattenfall.

Vattenfall head of wind power research and development Jens Madsen said: “We have been impressed by the strategic alliances that are being forged across the UK to ensure that offshore wind plays a key role in achieving renewable energy targets and more reliable and affordable power for British consumers.”

Madsen added: “It is important that Vattenfall builds on its already extensive research and development programme by being part of the OWA.”

Conor McGlone

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe