DECC Launches GBP 4 Million Fourth Call for Offshore Wind Innovation Proposals (UK)

Following the announcement of the first three winners of the second call of the Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development and Demonstration scheme, DECC has yesterday launched a £4 million fourth call, aimed at driving forward further innovation in the offshore wind sector and helping even more organisations benefit under this scheme.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “I wish High Voltage Partial Discharge Ltd, JDR Cable Systems Ltd and Principle Power (Europe) Ltd every success with their projects.”

“I am also pleased to announce the launch of a £4million fourth round of this competition and would encourage organisations with innovative ideas to apply.”

This fourth call aims to support testing and demonstration of devices, and innovation in component technologies for all sub-areas of large (ie greater than about 5 MW) offshore wind systems. Applications are particularly encouraged from (but not limited to) organisations with projects addressing turbines; installation and operation and maintenance.

Applicants for this competition are strongly encouraged to engage with others who can maximise the uptake of the innovation, such as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or wind farm developers. This engagement could be secured by involving an OEM or developer as part of a formal project consortium or through more informal discussion and consultation.

Further winners of the second call and winners of the £7 million third call, launched in November 2012, will be announced later this year. DECC intends to announce the winners of the new fourth call at the end of this year.

Applications for this Fourth Call will be assessed by DECC once a month on a rolling basis over the next few months with the last assessment in July 2013. Applications must be received by DECC in electronic form by noon on the 15th of each month, starting 15 March 2013, and thereafter on the 15th of April, May, June and July 2013.

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Offshore WIND Staff, March 1, 2013; Image: Vattenfall