Local focus

The UK offshore wind supply chain events came to Northern Ireland, with Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and over 300 business people attending.

The minister encouraged local companies to grasp the opportunities offered by the offshore renewable energy sector, saying: "Offshore energy is a growing market and opportunities in the Irish Sea region alone are currently valued in excess of £17 billion for areas under licence from The Crown Estate. This is set to increase when licences for installation of wind and tidal technologies in Northern Ireland waters are announced later this year."

Views on the 'Draft Tiree Onshore Scenario Mapping Report' should be submitted by Friday, 27 April.

Copies of the draft report and comment forms are available from:

Argyll and Bute Council website

Tiree Community Development Trust

Please submit all responses to:

Online comment form

Or by post or email to:

Tiree Onshore Scenario Mapping Study,
c/o Lisa Hardie,
Development and Infrastructure Services,
1A Manse Brae,
Lochgilphead PA31 8RD

Email: renewableenergy@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Following a two-year construction programme Vattenfall AB has now completed commissioning of the 150 MW Ormonde wind farm, some 10 km off the coast of Cumbria.

The wind farm has thirty 5 MW Repower turbines and is now expected to provide enough electricity for about 100,000 homes each year.

Further information

Vattenfall

Construction work has commenced on installation of 27 turbines at EDF Energy Renewables' Teesside offshore wind farm, a Round 1 project.

Located 1.5 km off the coast at Redcar, initial work involves installing large diameter steel tubes into the seabed as foundations for the transition pieces.

The first turbines are likely to be fitted in late summer with electricity generated from the wind farm beginning in early autumn.

Further information

EDF Energy Renewables

Building work is due to begin off the north Wales coast for one of the largest offshore wind farms in Europe. The 160-turbine Gwynt y Môr project, 13 kilometres (eight miles) off Llandudno, will take more than two years to build.

Further information

RWE

Applications submitted by Associated British Ports and Siemens plc to Hull City Council for the development of the proposed Green Port Hull facility.

Rob Hastings, director of the marine estate at The Crown Estate said: "We welcome Siemens' manufacturing planning application announcement. This is a key milestone in the development of the UK offshore wind industry. Our offshore wind leasing programme is delivering not only a secure supply chain but is also providing a significant boost to the economy through jobs and inward investment."

Further information

Siemens

Electricity production commenced at Walney 2 offshore wind farm on 1 November 2011. Key milestone for Dong Energy, the leading partner in the construction and operational phases of the projects, SSE and OPW.

Further information

DONG - Walney offshore wind farms

Seabed lease granted to Thanet District Council, including underletting of existing harbour for new pontoons and fuel storage facilities to assist with construction of the London Array offshore windfarm.

Further information:

Port of Ramsgate

Electricity production commenced at the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm. Key milestone for Scira Offshore Energy Ltd and Statoil, which is continuing as manager for Scira during the remaining project development and construction phase.

A new entrant into the offshore wind market Technip, opened their new offices in Aberdeen. Tom Mallows attended on behalf of The Crown Estate.