EDF Renewables plans to build phase two of the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator (BOD) wind farm off the coast of Northumberland using floating offshore wind technology. Once completed it would be among the first projects of this kind in English waters.

The first phase of the wind farm consists of five wind turbines and was constructed in 2017. It has a generating capacity of 41.5MW and the first UK offshore wind farm to utilise float and submerge gravity base foundations, as well as 66KV rated inter array and export cables to connect the turbines to an onshore substation.

A key requirement of the project is to demonstrate new and innovative technologies that have potential to reduce the cost of offshore wind (floating and fixed) developments in the future. As a result, EDF Renewables is working closely with suppliers and research organisations including the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult to ensure these technologies and approaches are fully explored and incorporated where appropriate.

Commenting on the Blyth Offshore, RenewableUK’s head of policy and regulation Rebecca Williams said: “This is one of the first floating offshore wind projects in English waters to be announced. It will build on the success of our world-leading floating wind farms already generating off the coast of Scotland. Further projects are being planned in Scotland and Wales. The more floating wind we install in UK waters, the cheaper it will become – and we can build up our supply chain and export our innovative technology worldwide. We need to maximise the use of this technology to reach net zero emissions as fast as possible.“

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