Offshore ReWIND: The Most Read News in 2017

The Offshore WIND editorial staff brings the most read news in 2017 chosen by you, our readers. From new technologies in the offshore wind industry to the development of subsidy-free bids, 2017 has shown us that the sector is developing faster than anyone had anticipated.

Artificial North Sea Island Plan Moves Ahead

TenneT Netherlands, Energinet.dk and TenneT Germany agreed on developing the North Sea Wind Power Hub project during the North Seas Energy Forum in Brussels on 23 March, in the presence of Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Energy Union.

Germany Accepts First Subsidy-Free Offshore Wind Auction Bid

Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur has selected three offshore wind projects by Ørsted, previously DONG Energy, and one project by EnBW in the first auction for grid connections and funding for existing offshore wind farm projects, with at least one of the developers offering the lowest price bid of 0.00 Euro cents per kilowatt-hour.

MHI Vestas Launches 9.5 MW Offshore Wind Turbine

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has launched the V164-9.5 MW wind turbine to re-affirm the company’s drive to lower the cost of energy for offshore wind.

MHI Vestas Turbine Catches Fire at Østerild Test Centre

An MHI Vestas V164 wind turbine has caught fire at the Østerild – National Test Centre for Large Wind Turbines in Denmark.

SBM Offshore: Floating Wind Technology Is the Future

Pilot floating wind farm projects such as the ones recently approved in France provide floating technology developers with a chance to demonstrate that their products can be a part of the future energy mix, Joost Heemskerk, SBM Offshore’s Renewable Energy Product Line Director told Offshore WIND.

UK Govt Clearing Path for April CfD Allocation Round

The UK Government announced the opening of the second Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round on 3 April, making a total of GBP 290 million available for renewable energy projects, including offshore wind.

Siemens Wind Power CEO to Head Siemens-Gamesa Offshore Business

Siemens Wind Power announced that its CEO Markus Tacke would head the Offshore business at the new company established by Siemens and Gamesa – Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

DONG Explains the Thinking Behind Subsidy-Free Bids

DONG Energy has revealed the factors behind the decision to place two zero subsidy bids in the first round of offshore wind auctions in Germany.

Taiwan Reaffirms 20%-by-2025 Renewable Energy Target

Taiwan’s government plans to phase out nuclear power plants and have an energy mix containing 50% natural gas, 30% coal and 20% renewable energy by 2025. The country’s energy plan, announced by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, also involves improvement of the power distribution system.

Three Offshore Wind Projects Secure Contracts for Difference as Strike Prices Go Down

The UK government has awarded three offshore wind projects with Contracts for Difference (CfD) in the second round of auctions with strike prices going as low as GBP 57.50/MWh for projects scheduled for commissioning in 2022/23.