Fossil fuel industry could help cut cost of offshore wind by 20 percent

The cost of offshore wind projects could be reduced by up to 20 percent if expertise acquired in the oil and gas sector is used in the industry, according to an analysis by Scottish Enterprise, published today.

For example, ‘high potential’ skills, such as manufacturing offshore substructures and cable laying could be transferred to the industry. Medium potential skills like the ability to carry out environmental surveys could also be implemented in the renewables industry. The money and effort put into the fossil fuel industry can therefore be used to ‘kick-start’ the renewables sector and help make some of the new offshore developments financially viable.

With massive increases in offshore wind generation in the UK in the coming decade, we have to overcome the high costs of the technology. For example, the government has set up a task force to look into the problem of reducing costs, hopefully by at least a third by 2020.

Scottish Enterprises director of energy and low carbon technologies, Adrian Gillespie suggests oil and gas producers have a lot to offer the renewables sector. "With the UK offshore wind market set to grow rapidly over the next four years, and the Scottish Government's ambitious renewable energy generation targets, we must ensure Scotland is best placed to capitalise on these opportunities." he said.

"Scotland has over 40 years experience in the oil and gas sector, which could greatly benefit the offshore wind sector. By encouraging greater collaboration and knowledge sharing between these two important sectors, we will create a lasting and positive effect on the Scottish economy."