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Dear Readers,
Welcome to the first edition of ‘OGV Renewables Magazine’ 2025 where we explore the changing landscape of renewable energy and the ongoing energy transition. In this issue, we are thrilled to welcome Flotation Energy as our front cover partner and you can read their insightful article on how the organisation are ‘Breaking Barriers’ inside.
We look forward to an exciting year of further energy transition and supporting our clients across the energy sector as further progress is made in this challenging time.
As always, we also have the latest news across Wind, Hydrogen & CCS, Geothermal and Electrification as well as project information from the EIC and contract wins from Infinity Partnership.
Warm regards,
DAN HYLAND – OPERATIONS AND SALES DIRECTOR
Breaking Barriers
Floating wind - a strategic opportunity for the UK’s clean power future
The UK is home to two of the world’s first floating offshore windfarmsKincardine and Hywind Scotland. These pioneering projects have placed the country at the forefront of floating wind development. Green Volt, developed in partnership with Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn off the East Coast of Scotland, will eclipse both projects and is set to become the first and largest commercialscale floating offshore windfarm in Europe. It represents an exceptional opportunity for the UK to lead in technology development, intellectual property, manufacturing and services - but only if the industry can learn and adapt at pace.
Despite its remarkable head start, the UK must ensure that the industry’s potential is maximised. It needs a strategic approach, focusing on creating a robust supply chain and encouraging inward (and international!) investment.
Addressing key barriers to growth
While there is no doubt that the potential is immense, there are significant barriers to overcome if the UK is to reap the benefits of being an early adopter of, and investor in, floating offshore wind technology and ports infrastructure. One of the most significant challenges is the lack of clarity around the future pipeline of projects.
While announcements of up to 30 gigawatts of offshore wind leasing by 2030 are encouraging, work needs to be done to ensure investors have the certainty they need regarding strike price, capital risk, levies, planning and consents. All these factors seem to be in a state of evolution. A long-term, phased approach to development will help the UK maintain a steady flow of investment. This would also help scale without the risk of boom-and-bust cycles. Commitment, action and investment from the UK and Scottish Governments is needed now.
AUTHOR Kirstine Wood Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Flotation Energy
Grid connection continues to be an issue that needs further engagement. As the UK seeks to integrate more renewable energy, significant upgrades are required to take advantage of the UK’s fantastic wind resources. The Government must continue to prioritise coordinated planning of the transmission network to support the spatial energy plan to facilitate timely grid connections.
With unprecedented levels of offshore wind development in the pipeline, it’s important to protect nature, however striking a balance between environmental protection and the urgent need to accelerate renewable energy deployment will always be complex
Environmental protection
With unprecedented levels of offshore wind development in the pipeline, it’s important to protect nature, however striking a balance between environmental protection and the urgent need to accelerate renewable energy deployment will always be complex. Uncertainty of new, draft regulations places exceptional pressure on developers that have already consented under current guidance. For example, wet storage options for floating offshore wind (FLOW) substructures and turbines is causing dubiety.
Another example is the proposed UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which focuses on carbon leakage, the movement of production and associated emissions from one country to another; still yet to be fully defined. CBAM liability will lie directly with the importer of products and will place a carbon price on some of the most emissions-intensive industrial goods imported to the UK. This includes items such as aluminium, cement, iron and steel. Whilst the aim is positive, consideration and caution must be taken so that CBAM does not simply impose another financial burden on the supply chain.
Streamlining is essential and much effort will be required to address resource constraints within government bodies to ensure that projects can proceed efficiently without unnecessary delays.
Building the UK floating offshore wind supply chain
The UK’s record in leveraging its oil and gas (O&G) expertise to support the growing floating offshore wind sector is well documented. The synergies between the two industries are clear: both require advanced technology and have similar supply chain needs. For example, O&G offers experience in areas such as ports, mooring systems, anchoring, installation of dynamic products in the water column, geoscience and operations and maintenance - skills directly transferrable to offshore wind.
We know that the size and scale of floating offshore wind requires mobilisation of future projects from local ports to make them economic. This means we need to invest in the few UK ports which can unlock floating offshore wind - now.
There’s opportunity for regional economic development, especially to create long-lasting jobs, stimulate local economies and foster the development of supply chain clusters. Ports are critical to optimising local content, indeed they may be the greatest opportunity for employment and local economic value. Moreover, ports can be the lifeblood of a variety of offshore wind-related activities, including manufacturing, marshalling, assembly and inspection and integrity.
In the UK Government's Invest 2035: Modern Industrial Strategy, clean energy industries are grouped together, but given the embryonic nature of floating wind, it’s vital there’s a specific focus on this sector. This is critical if the UK is to maximise domestic content in floating offshore wind projects, whilst also considering export opportunities - particularly in high-value components such as mooring systems, anchoring and cables.
Strategic Infrastructure Development
The National Wealth Fund builds on the success of the former UK Infrastructure Bank and is a positive move. There have been strong examples of the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank coming together to provide a joint credit facility to support the development of the Ardersier port as an energy transition facility for the offshore wind industry. There are other examples of this sort of positive infrastructure financing, the key is engagement and collaboration going forward.
We are moving into a pinnacle period for floating wind, with test and demo (T&D) sites now being developed in parallel with commercial-scale sites. T&D sites support long-term technological and digital improvements and can prove technology readiness at a lower risk level than commercial sites that are or will soon be operational. They also stimulate and test the supply chain and infrastructure in specific geographical areas. More support and investment in UK T&D sites is needed, as these developments catalyse commercialscale projects further down the line. If these are not financially viable or become noninvestible, the floating industry will suffer.
Supporting the transition to a skilled workforce
A critical enabler for the growth of floating offshore wind is a skilled workforce. The UK already has a strong base of capability in offshore wind, but more needs to be done to ensure that workers in the oil and gas sector can transition smoothly into renewable energy.
Collaborative projects such as the Energy Skills Passport, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments in partnership with key industry bodies like The OEUK and many others, is helping to improve the frameworks for transitioning skilled workers.
Initiatives such as training pathways will also support the transition and ensure that the necessary talent is available to support the sector's growth. Universities and training institutions must also play a key role in developing the technical and commercial skills needed for floating offshore wind.
It is important that the UK Government continues to take a pragmatic approach, working with industry to understand how floating wind can work in partnership with O&G to help streamline the energy transition.
Leveraging international opportunities
The floating offshore wind sector is still in its infancy, but the global demand for clean energy presents a significant export opportunity for the UK.
China, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea and Vietnam are investing heavily in offshore wind, and the UK’s expertise in technology, design, and offshore operations can position it as a leader in international markets. To fully capitalise on these opportunities, the UK must ensure that its supply chain is ready to compete globally, with an emphasis on high-value products and services that are essential for floating wind.
Whilst many barriers to the UK floating wind industry remain, we have all the right ingredients to deliver success at pace. Early projects, like Green Volt, have the potential to kick-start this enormous opportunity. However, to enable this, there must be a clear line of sight towards a sustainable UK industrial strategy. This will quickly enable projects to align behind this vision and allow our world class supply chains to build the capability and competence needed.
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RCP - Instrumentation and Control System specialists have made significant investment in fibre optic equipment such as fusion splicing machines, mechanical splicing kits, fibre optic ovens, optical power meters, optical microscopes and polishing equipment to terminate and test fibre optic cables, connectors, junction boxes and patch panels to a very high standard.
In 2021 a dedicated fibre optic workshop was set up at our Blackburn facility to provide fibre optic training to the onshore, offshore and renewables markets.
Fibre Optic Training includes
Fusion Splicing of single mode and multimode cables using Fujikura fusion splicers, construction of bespoke fibre optic cables and connector sets, construction of circular plug/socket connectors for hazardous area use. ATEX/IECEx zone 1 connectors, cables made up with pre-potted glands and tails to facilitate ease of fitment to drilling platforms, rigs offshore and renewable assets.
Mechanical splicing – Corning and Huber + Suhner connectors, ST, SC and LC, insertion loss and cable loss measurements, testing connectors and cables for insertion loss and return loss. OTDR testing using Fujikura machines.
The format of the course starts with the theory of Fibre Optics. Safety when using Fibre Optics, FO cable selection and connector types. Stripping fibre optic cables and
FIBRE OPTIC + TRAINING COURSE
preparation including the use of fan out kits, the use of fibre breakout boxes and fibre optic plug socket connectors and an understanding of loss budgets for fibre optics.
Delegates will learn how to manually splice using a Corning Kit with ST, SC and LC connectors. They will learn how to measure insertion loss of splices, connectors and cables. The delegate will use a fibre optic power meter. There will also be an introduction to fusion splicing.
The training course consists of both theoretical and practical elements with approximately 75% of the course being practical exercises where the delegates get to practice the skills taught.
By the end of the course each delegate will be able to identify different types of fibre cable for use on/offshore, select the correct type of cable and connector for the application in hand, prepare and manually splice a connector onto a fibre optic core(mechanical splice), test the integrity of the connector and measure the insertion loss of the cable or cable system.
For
The delegates will be able to fault find and repair fibre optic cables and connectors, prepare and splice a connector onto a fibre optic core known as fusion splicing.
The course material can be created bespoke to a company’s specific requirements. The course runs over 2 days.
A certificate of competence will be issued to the delegate's employing company on successful completion of the course.
RCP provide the following site services on or offshore
Fusion Splicing of single mode and multimode cables – Fujikura fusion splicers, Construction of bespoke fibre optic cables and connector sets, Mechanical splicing – Corning and Huber + Suhner connectors, ST, SC and LC. Construction of bespoke fibre optic cables and connector sets – Insertion loss and cable loss measurement, testing connectors and cables for insertion loss and return loss.
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NATURAL RENEWABLE RESOURCE DISCOVERED IN NSW
Elevated levels of natural hydrogen and helium have been found throughout New South Wales, according to a new report from Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of New South Wales.
XThe report provides Australian explorers with geological information and a comprehensive methodology for testing soil gas samples for natural hydrogen, bringing scientific rigour to this emerging field.
Australia is considered one of the most prospective locations for natural hydrogen because of its ancient geology.
Since the discovery of a 98 per cent pure natural hydrogen gas field in Mali in 2018, explorers around the world are looking for accumulations of natural hydrogen. This is because natural hydrogen holds the potential to be a new, emission-free energy source, especially if it can be recovered at low cost from the earth directly for use.
In Australia, hydrogen gas is primarily used for industrial processes including ammonia and fertiliser production, while helium is used in medical equipment, manufacturing, research, and the space sector.
Hydrogen can also be used to reduce carbon emissions from hard-to-abate industries, like remote power applications, heavy vehicle transportation, and industries like iron and steelmaking.
Federal Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, said the economics of Australia’s geology is undeniable and presents an enormous opportunity.
“The Federal Government is committed to unlocking our minerals potential and discovering opportunities for alternative energy and storage.
“This report is just one example of how our government is working with our state and territory colleagues to help build a Future Made in Australia.”
Acting New South Wales Minister for Natural Resources, John Graham, said the new data grows the wealth of knowledge about the state’s geological potential, as well as understanding of natural hydrogen and helium.
“Natural hydrogen has potential as a new
energy source and can support the economy’s shift to a net zero future.
“The New South Wales Minister Government is committed to exploring new ways to innovate and create a clean energy future using New South Wales’s natural resources.”
NATURAL RENEWABLE RESOURCE DISCOVERED IN NSW
Battery recycling firm Livium, via its wholly owned subsidiary, Envirostream Australia, has partnered with Chinese battery manufacturer Hithium Energy to recycle lithium-ion batteries from Lightsource bp’s Woolooga solar-plus-storage site in Queensland.
Under the terms of the agreement, Livium will exclusively recycle the lithium-ion batteries Hithium is set to supply for the 222MW/640MWh solar co-located project. The battery energy storage system (BESS) will be coupled with a 214MW solar PV power plant spread across three sites.
Livium will receive a processing fee for discharging, dismantling, and processing Hithium batteries and a fee for supplementary services. These include battery transport services, condition assessments, and tailored services.
The agreement commenced on 1 January 2025 and will last for an initial term of three years and an option term of two years. Livium will also be able to recycle batteries not associated with the Woolooga project on a non-exclusive basis.
Livium CEO and managing director Simon Linge hopes the deal with Hithium for the Woolooga project will create a domino effect, resulting in similar recycling deals being signed for other large-scale energy storage projects.
It is worth noting that consruction of the Woolooga BESS started in December last year following success in first tender of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), which saw 3.5GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) awarded.
Woolooga solar-plus-storage site to see first deployment of 5MWh containerised BESS in Australia
The Woolooga project is a significant milestone for Hithium. It will be the first deployment of the company’s 5MWh containerised standard 20-foot BESS solution in Australia, which utilises Hithium’s prismatic 314Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells.
The cells have 25-year warranties and are packed into double-length modules with an IP67 ingress protection rating. Hithium claims this improves energy density by 40% compared to previous models.
The Woolooga Stage 1 site will consist of 128 container units. Hithium is collaborating with INTEC Energy Solutions, a German engineering, procurement, and construction firm, for the project’s operations and maintenance.
Mizhi Zhang, president of global business at Hithium, highlighted the importance of sustainable recycling practices.
“The Woolooga Project represents a significant step for Hithium in establishing a foundation for future energy storage initiatives in Australia,” Zhang said.
“Sustainable disposal of our BESS products is key to our sustainability objectives, and we are delighted to partner with Livium, who have a proven track record of safe battery disposal.”
Hithium signs agreement with Samsung C&T for 10GWh of BESS globally
Hithium specialises in stationary energy storage products for utility-scale, commercial, and industrial applications. Since its inception in 2019, the company has expanded to several international markets and has shipped over 50GWh of BESS products to date. It also claims to have a top-five global market share.
The organisation recently signed an agreement with Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction (Samsung C&T), targeting around 10GWh of BESS capacity globally. Nazar Yi, vice-president of Hithium, said the collaboration will leverage each company’s expertise to help address the evolving energy storage landscape.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our capabilities but also accelerate the deployment of innovative energy solutions on a global scale,” Yi added.
UK renewable energy review
uk review
By Tsvetana Paraskova
UK SECURES RECORD PIPELINE OF CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS
The UK government has secured a record pipeline of clean energy projects while industry has said it is ready to help Britain deliver on its clean energy targets.
The latest clean energy auction round in early September was a success, following the flop from the 2023 renewables auction.
Record Renewables Auction
Allocation Round 6 (AR6) for renewable energy projects saw a record smashing 131 clean energy projects, which would power the equivalent of 11 million UK homes, the government said.
This year’s AR became the biggest round ever with significant numbers for onshore wind, solar power, and tidal energy—a marked improvement on the previous auction round in 2023, which saw zero offshore wind projects agreed.
Prior to the auction, the government had increased the budget by 50 percent – a record increase in funding and 7 times bigger than the previous round’s pot.
As a result, offshore wind projects featured in the latest round, with 9 contracts awarded, including securing both what will be Europe’s
largest and second largest wind farm projects, Hornsea 3 and Hornsea 4 off the Yorkshire coast.
The auction round also saw the largest floating offshore wind project in the world to reach market, Green Volt, which is double the size of Europe’s total installed floating offshore wind capacity. Moreover, 6 new tidal projects were also agreed, building on the UK’s world leading position, with just under half of the world’s operational tidal stream capacity being situated in UK waters
Finally, a combined 115 solar and onshore wind projects were contracted in AR6, which is more than the total number of projects delivered in the previous auction round.
“This auction has produced a record number of solar projects bolstering our mission for a solar revolution, we have powered forward with onshore wind, secured the largest commercial floating offshore wind project in the world and got the offshore industry back on its feet,” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said in a statement.
The 131 projects which have won contracts in AR 6 will power nearly 11 million homes and attract over £14 billion of new private investment into the economy. The first projects will start generating electricity in 2026.
“After the failure of last year’s offshore wind auction, it was essential that this auction succeeded and the fact that nine major offshore wind projects have secured contracts will increase investor confidence,” RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said, commenting on the auction results.
“There is intense global competition in offshore wind and the next auctions will be crucial for the UK.”
Amendments to Renewables Auctions
Looking at future auctions for contracts for difference, the UK government has proposed amendments to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) for Allocation Round 7 and future rounds.
Following a period of consultation, the government confirmed its decision on
implementing amendments to the scheme ahead of Allocation Round 7. In repowering, an AR7 amendment will aim to ensure repowered onshore wind projects that meet the eligibility criteria can bid into the CfD from AR7.
The government has also decided to extend the phased CfD policy currently available for fixed-based offshore wind (OFW) projects to floating offshore wind (FLOW) projects.
The government will consult on any changes for future rounds ahead of each round where appropriate, it said.
Low-Carbon Renewables Top Fossil Fuels for The First Time
For the first time ever, UK low-carbon renewable power was set to overtake fossil fuels for a full year in 2024, energy think tank Ember said in December.
Wind, solar, and hydropower were set to generate a combined 37 percent of UK electricity in 2024 (103 TWh), compared to 35 percent from fossil fuels (97 TWh). Just 3 years ago, in 2021, fossil fuels generated 46 percent of UK electricity, while low-carbon renewables generated 27 percent, Ember said in its report.
“The renewables future is here. This long-awaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made”
“The renewables future is here. This longawaited milestone is a testament to how much progress the UK has made,” said Frankie Mayo, Senior Energy & Climate Analyst – UK, Ember.
The UK will now aim for 95 percent clean power by 2030, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in early December in a plan for a “decade of national renewal.”
The goal is now watered down from Labour’s campaign pledge of 100-percent clean power by the end of the decade.
“Securing home-grown energy, protecting billpayers, and putting us on track to at least 95% Clean Power by 2030, while accelerating the UK to net zero” is one of the milestones in the Labour government’s “Plan for Change”
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail commented on the Prime Minister’s pledge at the COP29 summit to reduce the UK’s emissions by 81 percent compared with 1990 levels by 2035, in line with the recommendation of the Climate Change Committee.
“The huge pipeline of new energy infrastructure which we can deliver at speed between now and 2035 is the key factor in enabling the UK to reach this bold new target. Investors stand ready to make this happen as we’re now seen as one of the most attractive countries for private investment in new projects,” McGrail said.
The renewables industry body also welcomed the government’s announcement of an introduction of a Clean Industry Bonus to secure more manufacturing in the UK for offshore wind projects.
“It’s the right time to introduce the Clean Industry Bonus, as offshore wind supply chain companies are actively considering new investments to service the rapidly expanding global market,” RenewableUK’s McGrail said.
“Growing our industrial capability now will put the UK in a strong position to sell our high-value goods and services abroad in the coming years.”
A coalition of 19 leading European energy associations and transmission system operators has issued a joint letter to the European and UK Governments, calling for more efficient electricity arrangements between the European Internal Energy Market (IEM) and the GB market to unlock investment in offshore generation and grid infrastructure in the North Seas.
UK and Welsh Government officials held in November talks aimed at strengthening their partnership to accelerate clean energy progress across the UK.
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, announced plans to delegate decisions for renewable energy projects up to 50 MW to planning inspectors to reduce wait times for consents.
Wales has an unprecedented £46.8 billion investment opportunity from renewable energy by 2035—a transformation that could drive long-term economic growth, create thousands of jobs, and invigorate Welsh communities, research conducted by BiGGAR Economics showed in November.
Offshore wind, expected to account for £32.4 billion of this total, could become the backbone of Welsh economic growth by 2035, according to the analysis.
The research also projects an annual average investment in Welsh renewables of nearly £4 billion, peaking at £7 billion in 2028.
Another report, commissioned by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) from independent consultants Rystad Energy, found that Scotland’s new hydrogen export strategy can build on the nation’s industrial strengths and unlock a £93 billion export opportunity if firms are now backed with a clear action plan to attract investment and talent.
“There’s a world of opportunity out there. The global hydrogen opportunity for the UK is developing fast and we expect it to reach £93 billion in the next ten years,” commented Michael Tholen, OEUK’s director of sustainability & policy.
“Offshore Energies UK is calling on policymakers to help ensure UK firms do not get left behind in the race for this prize. Companies need to be at the forefront of the delivery of our nascent hydrogen market.”
In yet another report, the government-industry Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce says that floating wind could be this century’s biggest British industrial success story – if the right measures are put in place to enable more projects to go ahead faster.
The UK’s engineering prowess and expertise and exceptional wind resources give the country a head-start in the international race to build up a £1 trillion global floating wind energy industry by 2050, according to the report.
The analysis has found that by 2050, floating turbines could provide a third of the UK’s offshore wind capacity with 40 GW fully operational.
This “could be enough to power every home in the country, even with electrification of home heating and widespread electric vehicle charging,” the report said.
This new British industry could create 36,000 jobs by 2030 and 97,000 jobs by 2050, with many of these based primarily in Scotland, followed by Wales and Northern Ireland.
Analysis of the UK’s competitive advantage suggests that British companies are already well placed to capture a further £22 billion of the floating wind market in the form of goods and services export.
“For the UK oil and gas sector, floating offshore wind offers the greatest opportunity within the energy transition for UK-based companies to secure export revenues, greater than either hydrogen or carbon capture and storage (CCS),” the report said.
By Tsvetana Paraskova
EUROPE NEEDS MORE EFFORTS TO ADVANCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION europe review
While renewable energy capacity installations continue to rise across Europe, the European Union needs to bolster its competitiveness in clean energy manufacturing and build up flexibility in the power systems to address the intermittency of wind and solar generation, analysts and industry associations say.
The share of solar and wind in Europe’s electricity generation has been constantly increasing in recent years, displacing some fossil fuel-fired power supply. However, the colder temperatures and the periods of low wind speeds across northwest Europe in most of November and December 2024 highlighted once again the need to build energy storage and make power systems more flexible.
EU Speeds Up Energy Transition after the 2022 Crisis
The European Union has accelerated the deployment of renewable generation capacity following the energy crisis of 2022 and early 2023.
In 2023, a total of 67 percent of the European Union’s electricity was generated from clean sources, above the global average of 39 percent, a report by energy think tank Ember showed in November 2024. At the same time, fossil fuel generation fell to its lowest level ever at 33 percent.
Yet, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, the EU must phase out coal by 2030 and fully decarbonise its electricity sector by 2035, according to Ember’s estimates. Some countries, such as Denmark with 88 percent and Portugal (74 percent), already generate most of their electricity from renewables.
In Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, renewables hit records in the first nine months of 2024, accounting for 59 percent
of total power generation, Ember said. This marked an increase from 52 percent in the same period of 2023, and continued the trend of strong growth in recent years.
Wind and solar drove the rise in the share of renewables in the electricity mix. The combined share of wind and solar jumped from 40 percent in 2023 to 45 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, the share of hydro increased from 4 percent to 5 percent, and bioenergy remained largely unchanged, according to Ember’s estimates.
Moreover, 2024 marked a major milestone for Germany’s electricity generation. In the first nine months of 2024, wind and solar generation of 156 TWh exceeded electricity generated from fossil fuels, 140 TWh, for the first year ever, Ember said.
Flexibility Solutions Need to Grow, Too
With solar and wind power generation rising, flexibility solutions such as batteries and cross-border grid connections would help the EU use the excess power generated from
renewable energy sources, Ember said in an analysis.
The analysis showed that the EU could displace fossil fuel generation worth €9 billion annually from 2030 if it rapidly deployed clean flexibility solutions.
If excess renewable power could be used at another time of the day through battery storage, or transferred to another part of the EU using interconnectors, then it could reduce the EU’s reliance on fossils in hours when renewables generation is lower but there is still high demand, such as in the evenings, Ember’s analysts note.
“Batteries and solar mutually improve each other’s business case,” said Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, senior analyst at think tank Ember.
“But so far, we haven’t seen the same ambitious strategies for battery storage and other clean flexibility solutions that are in place for renewables. This is a huge missed opportunity that needs to be addressed now for consumers and businesses to feel the benefits of reducing fossil dependence.”
“The solar boom of the early 2020s was key to reducing expenditure on imported Russian gas during the energy crisis and solar continues to be essential for EU’s competitiveness”
The EU cannot afford to delay clean flexibility deployment as flexibility options must grow amid growing renewable energy generation, according to Ember.
Some wind and solar developments are already being held back by a lack of system flexibility, the think tank added.
Agri-PV, or solar panels mounted above or between food crops, could produce 191 TWh of clean power in central European countries, Ember’s analysis has shown. This could nearly triple the combined current renewable electricity generation in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The potential agri-PV generation is equivalent to 68 percent of today’s electricity demand in these four countries.
Ember’s report found that 180 GW of solar panels could be installed on crops across the Central European countries. This is triple the solar capacity declared in draft climate targets for 2030 (60 GW) and seven times more than the total installed capacity by the end of 2023, which was 25 GW.
EUROPE renewable energy review
EU Urged to Boost Manufacturing Competitiveness
Internal Market and Industry Ministers from the 27 EU Member States adopted the Draghi Report on the ‘Future of EU Competitiveness’ and discussed the role of the single market in shaping European competitiveness and the importance of domestic manufacturing of clean tech.
The EU highlighted the urgent need to mobilise investment in key strategic sectors, including clean technologies and energy infrastructure, and to improve the financing of innovation.
SolarPower Europe welcomed the formal adoption of the key principles of the Draghi Report and urged the EU to continue to recognise the value in supporting the European manufacturing capacity of key net-zero technology, like solar modules and inverters.
“The solar boom of the early 2020s was key to reducing expenditure on imported Russian gas during the energy crisis and solar continues to be essential for EU’s competitiveness,” said Anett Ludwig, Head of Supply Chains at SolarPower Europe.
“We would urge EU leaders to focus on the competitiveness tools that are available today, are swift to build, and offer the lowest electricity costs.”
Another major renewables association, WindEurope, said that
Europe can build a competitive renewable hydrogen value chain to decarbonise hard to electrify sectors.
“With the right policies to support electrification and renewable hydrogen Europe will continue to build a strong and competitive value chain and decarbonise its economy and energy systems,” WindEurope said.
At their annual meeting in Denmark, energy ministers of the 9 North Seas countries reaffirmed their ambition to transform the North Seas into “Europe’s green power plant.”
The ministers identified key areas of collaboration, including competitiveness of Europe’s offshore wind supply chain and the need to reinvent offshore wind financing.
The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) recommendations call for a “digital transparency tool” that provides visibility for the entire wind energy value chain. The tool should serve as an overview of auction schedules, manufacturing capacities, equipment requirements and port capacities across the North Seas countries.
Ultimately, it is envisaged to cover all of Europe, including the UK and Norway. Generally the NSEC recommendations call for “a more effective and constructive cooperation between the UK and NSEC.”
In offshore wind financing, Europe needs additional steps at regional level to facilitate investments, especially in hybrid offshore wind farms which connect to two or more countries, energy islands, and meshed grids.
Preliminary discussions on establishing an “offshore regional facility” to unlock financing at sea-basin level have started.
“Well done to the North Seas Energy Ministers for identifying exactly what needs to happen to increase momentum on offshore wind. And for spelling out clearly what the EU needs to do to on this over its new 5 year mandate,” said WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.
“Further action to strengthen the supply chain. A big push on grid build-out especially for the cross-border “hybrid” projects backed up by a dedicated offshore financing facility. And the full involvement of the UK in all of this.”
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Energy projects and business intelligence in the energy sector
The EIC delivers high-value market intelligence through its online energy project database, and via a global network of staff to provide qualified regional insight. Along with practical assistance and facilitation services, the EIC’s access to information keeps members one step ahead of the competition in a demanding global marketplace.
The EIC is the leading Trade Association providing dedicated services to help members understand, identify and pursue business opportunities globally.
It is renowned for excellence in the provision of services that unlock opportunities for its members, helping the supply chain to win business across the globe.
The EIC provides one of the most comprehensive sources of energy projects and business intelligence in the energy sector today.
RENEWABLE PROJECTS
Offshore Wind Farm
Empire Wind I USA
Equinor
$3 bn
An 816MW offshore wind farm located approximately 24km off the coast of Long Island, New York. The project will feature 138 turbines with a nameplate capacity of 15MW from Vestas. Equinor has announced the financial close of the Empire Wind project, having secured over US$3bn in financing.
Offshore Wind Farm
Complexo Offshore Do
Edf Renewables
$4.4 Bn
Proposal of a 2GW offshore wind farm off the coast of Piauí, near Barra Grande. The facility is planned to include 96 wind turbines with 21MW capacity each. EDF Renewables has applied for environmental assessments with IBAMA for five offshore wind projects in Brazil, including this project.
Offshore Wind Farm
PHILIPPINES
Nexif Ratch Energy
Development of a 475MW offshore wind farm to be located in Philippines. Nexif Ratch Energy has obtained Green Lane Certificates by the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) for 625MW of solar and offshore wind projects in the Philippines, which is includes this project. The certification awarded aims to streamline the process of securing necessary permits and 3
Floating Offshore Wind Farm Incheon (Hanbando)
SOUTH KOREA
Ocean Winds
$5.2 Bn
To construct a 1,245MW offshore wind farm off Incheon, which borders the capital city Seoul in the north-west of the country. Ocean Winds has signed an MoU with Hyundai Steel to cooperate on the project. The two companies will explore various approaches to establish a domestic supply chain for the project.
5
Offshore Wind Farm
Inch Cape (Phase 1)
UK
Red Rock Power & Esb
International
$5.04 Bn
Development of an offshore wind farm with a total installed capacity of 1,080MW. The project will consist of 72 x 15MW turbines in water depths of between 35 and 55m deep and will be located in the Outer Tay Estuary. Seaway7 has been chosen to transport and install 18 pin-pile jacket foundations and 54 transition pieces for the wind farm. Work is expected to commence in 2026.
6
Floating Offshore
Wind Farm Goliatvind NORWAY
Source Galileo Norge As $100 Mn
A 75MW pilot wind farm located in the Barents Sea off Norway, 50km southeast of the Snøhvit field at a depth of 300-400 metres. It will feature five floating turbines with capacity of 15MW. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Energy and a licence application will shortly be submitted.
Nh1 Tidal Farm FRANCE
8
7 Grenada Wave Power Project GRENADA
Normandie Hydroliennes
Development of a 12MW tidal farm located approximately 3km west of the coast of Cap de la Hague, in Raz Blanchard, France. It will feature four 3MW AR3000 turbines with a total nominal power of 12MW. The project was selected by the European Commission as part of the Innovation Fund and received part of a EUR 51m fund. It is scheduled to be complete in 2028.
Seabased Industry Ab $25 Mn
A proposed 2MW pilot wave power park, which is planned to be expanded to at least 10MW, located in Grenada. Seabased, the Government of Grenada, and SIDS DOCK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the country's first wave energy project.
Nam E-Meng Hydro Power Plant
10
9 Rogun Hydro Power Plant
LAOS
Xaysana Energy
$200 Mn
Development of a 90 MW hydro power plant in Vientiane, southern Sekong Province, Laos. Xaysana Energy has awarded an EPC contract to POWERCHINA for the construction of the hydro power plant. The electricity generated would be exported to Cambodia, under the Laos-Cambodia power interconnection plan.
TAJIKISTAN
Government Of Tajikistan
$6.2 Bn
Construction of a 3,600MW hydro power plant on the Vakhsh River in southern Tajikistan, consisting of six 600MW units. The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has committed the first $16.7 mn tranche of financing for the HPP. The Kuwait Fund will allocate $100 mn, which will be paid in tranches of $16.7 mn. The Tajik authority has also signed an agreement with the World Bank on a $650 mn grant to support construction of the project.
11
Kosice Geothermal Plant
SLOVAKIA
Geoterm Kosice, A.s. & Mh Teplárenský Holding A.s
$90 Mn
Construction of a geothermal plant in Kosice which aims for an installed thermal output of 30 MWth. The project has been designed so that additional centres can be built alongside it in subsequent stages. The drilling of three new wells is scheduled to commence in January 2025, with an anticipated duration of 43 months. GEOTERM KOSICE will oversee the project.
A 500km 500kV HVDC transmission line across the Darién Gap. The line will stretch 220km within Panama; 130km via submarine cable; and finally, 150km within Colombia, linking the Panamá II and Cerromatoso substations, respectively. The underwater section will begin from Guna Yala, Panama to Cerro Matoso, Colombia. The project will allow a transmission of 300MW. The governments have agreed to jointly advance the development of the project. Start-up is expected in 2028.
COMMUNITY news
Cegal Appoints Chris Cartwright as Managing Director for UK and Africa
Cegal, a global technology company specializing in the energy sector, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Cartwright as Managing Director for the UK and Africa region, effective January 6, 2025.
Chris joins Cegal from Capgemini Invent, where he served as Vice President of Energy Transition, building on a distinguished career in leadership roles within the energy industry. With over 330 applicants vying for this position, Chris stood out due to his extensive experience, exceptional sales and relationship-building skills, and deep
Prism Energy doubled turnover and headcount in 2024 amidst remarkable growth
Aberdeen-based Prism Energy is celebrating significant business growth over the past year, with the company’s turnover doubling in 2024 and its workforce expanding by the same margin. This marks the latest milestone in an impressive trend, as Prism’s turnover has consistently doubled annually over the past five years.
The project risk management consultancy has also launched two new business divisions. Prism QHSE was established last year following the acquisition of Mandos Software in 2023. Recognising the critical role of quality management in successful project delivery, Prism’s Managing Director,
Andy Sutherland saw the value in integrating process mapping software into the company’s digital offerings.
The QHSE division now serves 20 clients and is strengthened by the appointment of QHSE Lead, Carla Bruce, who offers consultancy services to clients.
In response to high demand from energy industry operators seeking personnel recommendations, Prism Energy also launched Prism Connect in 2024, which is led by Recruitment Manager, Darren Aggasild.
understanding of the energy sector’s complexities and opportunities.
Dagfinn Ringaas, CEO of Cegal, emphasizes: “Chris’s experience and track record from the energy industry, coupled with his technology expertise, leadership style, and passion for people, make him a perfect fit for Cegal.”
“As we continue our mission to shape the digital future of energy, I am confident that Chris will drive impactful decisions and lead our strategic initiatives forward in 2025 and beyond,” Ringaas adds.
ASCO invests in energy transition with multi-million pound fleet upgrade programme
ASCO demonstrates its commitment to the future of energy by investing in cutting-edge infrastructure to drive the energy transition.
ASCO, a global leader in logistics and materials management services for the energy sector, is reaffirming its commitment to shaping the energy future in the UK.
Through a multi-million-pound fleet upgrade programme, the company is positioning itself as a key enabler of the energy transition while continuing to deliver exceptional service to its clients.
OEG Energy Group appoints new chief human resources officer, Paula Richardson in a newly created role.
OEG Energy Group Limited, a leading energy solutions business has appointed Paula Richardson to the newly created role of chief human resources officer, based at the company's new headquarters in Dyce, Aberdeen. She will also join the executive team as part of her responsibilities.
OEG last year grew its workforce to over 1,300 employees across 65 global locations, with plans for continued expansion in renewables and other key offshore energy markets. In her new role, Paula will lead the strategic direction of the group’s HR function, working closely with senior leadership,
divisional, and regional teams. She will focus on developing and implementing a people strategy that aligns with OEG’s ambitious growth objectives while addressing the evolving needs of the business and its diverse workforce.
John Heiton, OEG’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Paula to the team. Her extensive experience in people and organisational development will be instrumental in helping us achieve our growth goals and shape the future of the organisation. As we continue to scale, having the right people strategies in place will be critical, and Paula’s leadership in this newly created role will play a key part in our success.”
In recent weeks, ASCO has expanded its capabilities at Albert Quay in Aberdeen with the addition of a brand-new Liebherr crane. This follows the strategic relocation of a similar crane from Hammerfest, Norway earlier this year. This complements the complete overhaul of the company’s forklift fleet in all its UK bases, replacing older models with modern, eco-friendly 16-tonne forklifts that offer enhanced safety and ergonomic features.
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THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn are leading the way in the development of offshore wind projects. Determined to support the global movement to Net Zero and sustainable energy consumption, our core strengths lie in finding and developing sites for floating projects in deeper waters globally. Together we have harnessed our expertise to deliver reliable oil and gas electrification and decarbonisation projects that will pioneer the future of renewable energy.
NETHERLANDS TO CONNECT GRIDS VIA NEDERWIEK
3 OFFSHORE WIND FARM
Dutch Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans has included LionLink, said to be the first direct-current hybrid interconnector, in the country’s latest Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework. LionLink will use the offshore grid connection of Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands to connect to both the Dutch and the UK onshore high-voltage grids.
The interconnector can also be used as an additional high-voltage link to exchange electricity between the countries.
With LionLink now added to the offshore wind development framework, TenneT may now make investments in the project, which the Dutch transmission system operator (TSO) is realising in close cooperation with UK partner National Grid Ventures (NGV).
Before the hybrid interconnector can be realised, several steps still need to be taken, including the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth taking a decision on the details of the market design for wind farm developers in the tender procedure for Nederwiek 3, TenneT said in a press release on 23 December 2024. Furthermore, new arrangements for market coupling between the European Union and the
United Kingdom are needed for the effective operation of the new interconnector, according to the Dutch TSO.
The offshore wind development tender for Nederwiek 3 is planned to be launched in 2026, when the Dutch government will also award the Nederwiek 2 site and likely the Nederwiek 1B site whose tendering has been postponed.
BP TO DEVELOP LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND BUSINESS WITH £4.5BN JOINT VENTURE
BP has struck a deal with Japanese energy company JERA to combine their respective offshore wind assets in a joint venture that could become the world’s largest offshore wind operator.
The new firm, JERA Nex bp, will combine both companies’ portfolios, including projects still in development, and have a projected net generating capacity of 13 GW.
The venture comes amid a strategy reset for bp, which has recently slowed down its offshore wind business to focus on oil and gas output.
Murray Auchincloss, who was appointed bp CEO in January, said: “This will be a very strong vehicle to grow into an electrifying world, while maintaining a capital-light model for our shareholders. We very much look forward to combining our strengths in Europe and AsiaPacific to create another innovative platform.”
New company
bp says the joint venture will initially focus on progressing existing projects in northwest Europe, Australia, and Japan, including two Australian windfarms, the Blue Mackerel and Spinifex projects planned for the coast of Victoria, with a combined capacity of 1.4 GW.
JERA’s already operates 1 GW worth of wind farms in Belgium, Japan, and Taiwan, while bp has no windfarms currently in operation. Around 12 GW of energy for the deal is expected to be generated through projects still in development.
bp’s offshore divestment
In its 2020 strategy, the company said it intended to cut oil and gas . This has since been reduced to 25%.
Offshore wind has also proven to be an investment risk, as supply chain challenges and pricey equipment has increased the development costs for projects.
Global consulting company McKinsey & Company found that progress for offshore declined slightly last year as project costs and revenue loss increased by 7%.
The sector is highly competitive, with projects racing to get approval by developing bigger turbines and structures. According to intelligence firm Energy Intelligence, this constant need for larger equipment and materials has prevented the market from properly maturing and has made cost reductions difficult due to the lack of standardisation.
To bolster investor confidence, bp has put a pause on developing offshore wind and other renewable projects which are not expected to generate returns in the short term, reports Reuters.
For the joint venture, both bp and JERA will provide capital funding of up to £4.5bn (US$5.7bn) to attract competitive financing before the end of 2030. However, the new company will look to raise funding itself and rely less on the support of bp’s shareholders. The deal for JERA Nex bp is expected to be completed by Q3 next year.
BESPOKE OPPORTUNITY FOR SCOTLAND’S ISLAND BUSINESSES AS OFFSHORE WIND SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAMME OPENS
Innovative businesses based across Scotland’s island and coastal communities will have the chance to benefit from the opportunities offered by the offshore wind sector with the opening of a dedicated industry supply chain programme.
Created by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, in partnership with the developers of four major Scottish offshore wind farm projects –MachairWind, Spiorad na Mara, Stoura and Arven – the Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) Island programme will offer fullyfunded, expert support to help eligible companies succeed in the offshore wind industry, both at home and abroad.
The first programme dedicated specifically to island businesses, it builds on the success of ORE Catapult’s wider award-winning Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme which was established in 2019 and is now one of the UK’s most successful supply chain mentoring programmes. The programme is open to businesses looking to break into the offshore sector, scale up an existing presence in the industry, or make the transition to renewables from the likes of the oil and gas sector.
It has supported more than 150 companies over the last five years who have, on average, experienced an increase in turnover of 28% as a result of securing new contracts and many have gone on to become market-leading suppliers to the offshore wind sector.
Kiera Wilson, ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind Development Lead, said: “It’s great to be working with ORE Catapult and fellow ScotWind developers to bring this exciting opportunity to life for our island and coastal communities. We know from speaking to many local businesses in the vicinity of our MachairWind windfarm – located off the coast of Islay and Colonsay – that there is a huge amount of interest in how they can make the most of their fantastic skills, capabilities and experience to tap into the offshore wind industry and join us in delivering a clean energy future. I would urge all eligible businesses to apply and I’m excited to see who comes forward.”
Ewan Walker, Project Director at Arven Offshore Wind Farm said: “Arven is committed to advancing floating offshore wind and supporting the local businesses and communities that are key to its success. The F4OR programme offers island companies valuable expertise to help them strengthen their capabilities and access opportunities in the growing offshore wind sector. We’re proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to seeing island-based businesses contribute to Scotland’s sustainable energy transition.”
The new programme has been tailored to better fit the business demographics of Scottish island and coastal-based businesses, with changes to the entry requirements to make it more accessible and plans to deliver more support at the winning businesses’ operational locations to reduce the need for travel.
Up to ten companies will be selected to join the F4OR Island programme.
Andy Macdonald, Director – Development & Operations at ORE Catapult, said: “Scotland’s islands have a proud history of technology innovation and engineering prowess coupled with an enviable depth of specialist expertise gained servicing the oil and gas sector. They are therefore ideally equipped to make the transition to the growing offshore wind sector and we would encourage companies developing innovative technology solutions to apply for this latest programme.
“This opportunity has been in collaboration with our industry partners, ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), Ocean Winds, Northland Power and ESB who share our ambitions to support the clean energy transition, help accelerate the growth in offshore renewable energy and progress the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
Neil Carthy, Offshore Development Procurement Lead, Spiorad na Mara, said: “We are delighted to support this F4OR programme specifically for island businesses. With the proposed Spiorad na Mara project sited off the west coast of Lewis, we are eager to work with, and support, the local supply chain to be part of the great opportunity it represents for island businesses and the local economy. This tailored programme can go a long way towards positioning local companies to take advantage of this opportunity, and others in the future.”
Cian Desmond, Stoura Project Director, ESB said: “We are delighted to partner with ORE Catapult to deliver this innovative program which will help to maximise local content during the development, construction and operation of the 500 MW Stoura Offshore Wind Farm. The marine and engineering expertise and infrastructure available in Shetland are world class, this program will help to ensure that the relevant organisations understand the needs of the offshore wind energy industry and are primed to secure future contracts.”
Under the F4OR programme, companies undergo a rigorous evaluation process comprising health and safety standards, environmental sustainability practices, project management capabilities and financial stability, as well as their applicability to the renewable energy market.
The ETZ Ltd Challenge Fund: Supporting the regional energy supply chain
The transition toward low carbon energies continues to create valuable opportunities for North East Scotland’s world-class energy sector.
ETZ Ltd, a private sector-led and not-forprofit company spearheading the region’s energy transition ambition, is uniquely positioned to support the supply chain on this journey. Our Challenge Fund continues to provide vital support for businesses as they diversify and, to date, 37 companies have fast-tracked their own transition ambitions with almost £5 million in grant funding. Crucially, this has been matched by an additional £10.7m private sector investment from the recipient companies evidencing the welcome appetite for energy transition across the region.
The Fund has supported companies representing a diverse range of sectors including Offshore Wind, Green Hydrogen, Geothermal and Battery Storage.
As far as pioneering low carbon hydrogen solutions is concerned, the North East is ideally placed to deliver a substantial proportion of the UK’s future requirements – 20% of the 2030 target – as a result of a number of current and near-future projects.
Glacier Energy is a shining example of a company that recognises this particular opportunity and has used Challenge Fund support to develop its orbital welding equipment.
Glacier Energy’s Business Development Director, Tracie Watson said: “The funding supported our strategic plans to leverage our
design and manufacturing heritage to explore the energy transition. This will then ultimately help us fast-track the number of hydrogen storage and energy storage vessels we can produce for our client’s projects.”
Glacier Energy’s design and manufacture division has an 120-year track record in the design and manufacture of heat exchangers, pressure vessels and structural fabrication, equipping it with the knowledge and expertise to develop and deploy innovative solutions that support hydrogen, carbon capture and energy storage markets.
“As a company, we have a special interest in hydrogen storage and Glacier Energy hasnow developed a range of proprietary products, to safely and reliably store and move hydrogen,” Ms Watson explained.
“The orbital welding equipment we invested in, with support from the ETZ Ltd Challenge Fund, now allows us to accelerate the production of hydrogen storage vessels through automation, saving significant time and net cost of the hydrogen, which is a key driver in the wider adoption of hydrogen in the industrial sector.”
Supported by significant funding from the Scottish Government Just Transition Fund, The Challenge Fund is now enabling companies to enter and maximise the opportunities in low carbon energies, exploiting these markets.
Freda Miller, ETZ Ltd’s dedicated Supply Chain Programme Manager, recognises the importance of companies like those receiving the funding.
She said: “The supply chain is the lifeblood of the energy sector in this region. These are the homegrown companies, with specialist skills and experience to scale and deploy innovative solutions that are vital if we’re going to reach net zero, both here in Scotland and right across the globe.
“The recipients of the ETZ Ltd Challenge Fund are all ambitious to accelerate their plans to invest in operations to support their transition journey into the low carbon market .”
The Challenge Fund continues to support SMEs servicing the oil and gas market in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray to transition to new or existing opportunities in new and low carbon markets. The fund is administered by ETZ Ltd and in part work being undertaken to reposition the region as a globally recognised new and green energy cluster. The organisation is making significant progress through a dual area of focus, operating both as a regional catalyst for energy transition, along with delivery of the largest dedicated energy transition complex in Scotland, the Energy Transition Zone.
Glacier Energy’s Orbital Welder funded by ETZ Ltd will manufacture Hydrogen Storage Vessels - Hy-Vault is a Hydrogen Static Storage Solution which was designed and manufactured in-house by the Glacier Energy team and forms part of Glacier Energy’s hydrogen storage and distribution product range.
Green hydrogen: improving safety to drive growth
Green hydrogen is a key enabler in the transition to a cleaner energy future. As countries develop strategies to promote the hydrogen economy and capitalise on economic opportunities, the safe handling of this energy source is becoming a key focus.
As a leading provider of protection systems with decades of experience in the process industry, Dräger is at the forefront of providing advanced detection systems that ensure the safe development, storage, and use of green hydrogen. Dräger supports the green hydrogen market by assessing risks, providing comprehensive consultancy and delivering hydrogen safety solutions to customers. Its extensive knowledge of the hazards involved means it is frequently the first point of contact for hydrogen safety issues
Green hydrogen: the safety challenges
Green hydrogen can store renewable energy efficiently and is versatile across industries.
However, its potential comes with challenges that require robust safety measures.
Green hydrogen is highly explosive and its production via electrolysis can lead to increased oxygen concentrations since it is the process of splitting H2O into H2 and O2 Increased O2 concentration increases the risks by reducing the amount of flammable gas required for an explosion – this is called oxygen enrichment. The main sources of hydrogen incidents are leaking connections and valve malfunctions or leaks1
Hydrogen gas is highly flammable however it is produced. It has a wide explosive range (4% to 75% in air), and ignites at low energy thresholds (0.019 millijoules, an order of magnitude lower than methane). Static electricity or a gas release under high
pressure in some circumstances can be sufficient to cause autoignition. Even small leaks can create hazardous conditions in poorly ventilated areas.
Hydrogen burns with a flame that is nearly invisible in daylight, making visual detection methods ineffective. Since hydrogen is odourless and colourless, it cannot otherwise be detected by the human senses. Being the lightest element, it disperses quickly and its small molecule size can lead to material permeation called hydrogen embrittlement, potentially leading to leaks and structural degradation. These properties mean that advanced detection systems are essential to mitigate the risks; small leaks almost always evolve into big leaks if they are not addressed.
Detection solutions for green hydrogen
For hydrogen fire and gas mapping, International Standard ISO 22734 First edition 2019-09
states that hydrogen gas detectors should be installed in optimum locations to provide the earliest detection of hydrogen gas.
To perform fire and gas mapping the following information is required:
• Equipment layout drawings or plot plans (or an area description with potential hazards)
• Fire and gas cause and effect charts for hazardous and non-hazardous areas.
For the most effective approach some or all of the following information is desirable:
• Hazardous area layout drawings
• Data sheets for all detector types (and current settings if applicable)
• Relevant safety studies
• Previous performance targets
• Fire and gas philosophy
• Fire and gas layout drawings if adding devices to an existing system
Dräger provides a comprehensive range of solutions for green hydrogen applications, from portable gas detection devices to fixed fire and gas detection systems, from consulting and project planning to maintenance services.
Flame Detection
Hydrogen flames are nearly invisible to the human eye. The Dräger Flame 1750 H2, a triple IR flame detector, addresses this issue by detecting the infrared radiation given off by the water which is produced during combustion at specifical wavelengths (2.4 – 2.7μm). This Hazardex award-winning product detects hydrogen flames from up to 40 meters in five seconds or less. It provides advanced optical verification to ensure operational reliability and is resistant to false alarms caused by black body radiation or other environmental factors such as UV radiation
Catalytic Bead Sensors
Catalytic bead or CatEx sensors oxidize hydrogen on a pellistor surface, generating heat that corresponds to the gas concentration. The Dräger Polytron 8200 CAT is a leading example of this technology. It offers rapid response times in accordance with the EN 60079-29-1 performance standard for gas detectors, detecting gas leaks before they accumulate and ensures long-term stability even in varying environmental conditions thanks to its active compensated reference pellistor design. The Dräger Polytron 8200 CAT integrates with digital systems for remote monitoring and data analysis.
Ultrasonic Gas Leak Detection (UGLD)
Unlike conventional gas detectors that measure gas concentration, ultrasonic sensors detect the sound of escaping gas. The Dräger Polytron 8900 UGLD® provides
immediate detection of high-pressure leaks, regardless of environmental conditions. It offers early warnings to prevent the accumulation of explosive gas clouds and is compatibile with existing safety systems, enhancing site-wide monitoring.
Integrated detection systems
Dräger modular gas and vapour analysis systems, such as the REGARD® 7000, integrate detection technologies into centralised control systems for streamlined safety management. These solutions enable comprehensive monitoring and a swift response to potential hazards. The controller is also performance approved alongside performance approved devices, ensuring complete trust in the system’s response to gas and flame hazards.
Engineering for risk reduction
While detection is critical, engineering solutions also play an important role in hydrogen safety. Proper ventilation minimises the risks of gas accumulation. Facilities should avoid peaked roofs or high level semi enclosed spaces which could trap hydrogen gas as it rises and create an explosive accumulation. Many hydrogen facilities are unmanned, a trend which we expect to increase due to colocation of facilities next to remote renewable energy sources. This means remote monitoring and connected safety systems are essential to ensure continuous visibility.
Safety enables growth
In the expanding green hydrogen market, enhanced safety is an enabler of innovation and growth. Dräger’s range of technologies, from advanced flame detectors to ultrasonic gas sensors, empower industries to meet green hydrogen’s special safety challenges.
AUTHOR Megan Hine UK & Ireland Business Development Manager Clean Energy, Dräger
TRANSFORMING IR CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH DIVERSIFICATION
Viper Innovations is focused on sharing its expertise in power cable insulation degradation detection, with a particular interest in markets like offshore wind.
The Role of Condition Monitoring in Resilience and Innovation
Central to Viper’s core technology offering is condition monitoring. This is crucial for detecting faults in electrical cables early, allowing asset managers to ensure reliability and extend the life of subsea assets. As operators face new demands in power transmission, Viper’s solutions help manage the integrity of critical infrastructure, optimising safety and performance.
Since 2012, Viper has been providing intelligent monitoring with increased visibility and trending capabilities to the subsea industry. The integrity of electrical power circuits is mission-critical to the global subsea market, so Viper developed a suite of innovative insulation resistance monitoring and recovery solutions, originally for the subsea oil and gas industry. With Viper’s V-LIM and V-SLIM Line Insulation Monitoring products, real-time monitoring data feeds into the PlatformVi intelligence insights platform to provide a complete picture of system integrity.
Expanding Cable Integrity Expertise in Floating Offshore Wind
Viper’s focus on electrical condition monitoring and data analysis positions the company for
significant growth in the renewable energy sector. The company’s proven success in subsea cable monitoring for oil and gas has laid the foundation for similar applications in offshore wind and other renewables.
Floating offshore wind farms present unique challenges for cable integrity. Unlike traditional offshore energy systems, offshore wind relies on transmission cables to deliver power from turbines to shore. With potentially hundreds of cables in a single wind farm, ensuring both individual cable integrity and the overall system performance is essential for operational efficiency.
Viper has accumulated vast electrical measurement data from subsea umbilical cables, which is correlated with actual events and performance. This data, analysed through AI and machine learning, transforms into actionable insights. By monitoring parameters like insulation resistance and voltage in real-time, operators can make informed decisions on maintenance and capital expenditures long before cables fail. This proactive approach helps extend asset life, enhance safety, and minimise downtime.
Transferring Technology to New Applications
As part of their ongoing commitment to diversification, Viper participated in sea trials in July 2024 with France Énergies Marines, testing their cable monitoring technology for offshore wind turbines. Conducted as part of the HT-20MW project, with results due in
2025, these trials focused on dynamic cable monitoring solutions, assessing continuous shape and curvature measurements.
At the beginning of 2024, Viper also applied their expertise to monitor and protect an FPSO’s wet parked cables in Canada during a scheduled disconnection for routine maintenance. This application illustrates the potential for such technologies to be adapted across various offshore environments, including ensuring the integrity of cables while wet parked during erections of offshore wind farms.
Additionally, internal dynamic inspection technology for floating offshore wind is currently under development and has already demonstrated success in a recent project aimed at identifying innovative solutions for monitoring defects within the dynamic cables of floating offshore wind farms. This advancement holds the exciting potential to drive significant improvements in both operational efficiency and reliability for the sector.
Innovation and Future Growth
As the energy sector evolves, Viper continues to explore new applications for its technology. With 12+ years specialising in condition monitoring for subsea systems, Viper is committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure. Having already successfully transitioned into the rail industry in 2019, Viper is now looking to expand into additional sectors.
The decarbonisation of the energy sector is driving significant change, presenting opportunities for innovation and diversification. As the shift to renewable energy accelerates, companies must address both current challenges and future demands by adopting cutting-edge technologies
Redefining Possibilities: Centurion’s Role in Energy’s Next Era
The global energy sector is changing – and with change comes opportunity.
Global energy demand remains on the rise, with oil & gas still forecast to play a significant part of the energy mix for decades to come. However, there is a clear direction of travel towards the deployment of renewable energy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Businesses must develop solutions and provide new services as the sector continues to evolve over the coming years. As a provider of rentals and services to a range of critical industries in complex, remote and challenging locations, Centurion is ideally positioned to deliver innovative solutions to support the energy transition.
Backed by our proven experience and decades-long track record, Centurion is equipped to provide reliable, efficient solutions that deliver results for our customers around the world.
Investing in a diversified energy transition
In a world of transition, diversification lies at the core of Centurion’s approach to building a more sustainable future. As the industry continues to evolve, so does our business. Our experience spans beyond traditional energy, with Centurion proudly offering tailored rental solutions and services for customers in a number of renewable energy sectors – including fixed and floating wind, geothermal, and carbon storage.
Importantly, our portfolio of critical rental equipment also puts Centurion at the centre of the circular economy, providing a more sustainable and targeted alternative to largescale purchases.
Keith Moorhouse, President
Our work in the geothermal sector started in 2022 and highlights the transferability of oilfield knowledge, expertise and equipment to net zero energy alternatives. Centurion’s pressure control equipment, compressors, heat exchangers and fluid filtration equipment have all been utilised to support geothermal well test operations in mainland Europe.
Additionally, we are actively engaged in carbon storage projects which play a critical role in the decarbonisation of our industrial clusters. Our pressure control and steam generation equipment are used to directly support the reinjection of CO2 into the subsurface for permanent sequestration.
Centurion’s critical role in the energy transition extends to the wind energy sector, where we play a key part by actively supporting the construction, maintenance and operations of several offshore wind installations. We provide cutting-edge ROV equipment, subsea tooling, lifting, inspection and rope access services. In December 2023, Centurion took a
AUTHOR
of Centurion’s UK & Europe region
transformational step forward in supporting the offshore wind sector with the addition of accommodation solutions via our acquisition of H2M Offshore Accommodation (H2M).
H2M is a Netherlands-based innovative global provider of high quality, comfortable and lightweight offshore accommodation solutions and workspace modules, serving the renewable energy, oil & gas and maritime industries. Their products are designed for ease of deployment and are lighter in weight, without compromising structural strength, to limit the load on platforms, whilst also providing maximum comfort and security in challenging offshore environments.
In addition to our support of the production of renewable energy, when an asset has come to the end of its natural lifecycle or is due for renewal, Centurion is also an active player in the decommissioning sector. We supply best-in-class equipment and safe, efficient, sustainable packaged solutions – from full ROV & diver tooling packages, compressors, cargo carrying units and tanks, through to lifting and inspection solutions.
For instance, our UK business lines recently combined their capabilities to deliver a bespoke package for a decommissioning scope in the North Sea.
Centurion provided several large tanks to assist with the cleaning scope of the project. This included the removal of fuel from storage tanks of an offshore platform as well as fluids from a closed drainage system. Our Accommodation & Modular team also hosted the System Integration Testing (SIT), demonstrating the equipment’s easy plugand-play set up to meet the requirements of the scope of work before mobilisation.
This packaged equipment solution enabled the customer to successfully remove the hazardous material from the asset – a key part of the project in preparation for removal of the topsides by heavy lift vessel.
With further projects planned, Centurion is well placed to support upcoming critical well abandonment, topsides and subsea decommissioning activities in the UK and internationally.
Working together to define a new energy era
As an industry in transition, it is critical that we come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities that present themselves as we as enter a new era of energy production.
That’s why we attended and exhibited at several key industry events last year in the UK and beyond, where we engaged with industry leaders, innovators, and other key stakeholders who are shaping the future of the industry.
Events we attended included Subsea Expo, AOG Energy, The Southern North Sea 2024 Conference, Decom Week, WindEnergy Hamburg, Floating Offshore Wind, the ICoTA 30th European Well Intervention Conference, OEUK’s Offshore Decommissioning Conference, and more.
We had a number of exciting and thoughtprovoking conversations across these events, and the key takeaway was clear; there are ample opportunities within these growing sectors that Centurion is well placed to support through our extensive and diverse fleet of rental equipment and industry-leading services.
Meeting the challenges of a global transition
Our customers benefit from the power of Centurion’s global footprint. We leverage the capabilities of our teams around the world to offer a wide range of versatile products and solutions that drive efficiency for our customers.
Centurion’s best-in-class equipment and innovative technologies play a crucial role in supporting key projects around the world.
Centurion’s best-in-class equipment and innovative technologies play a crucial role in supporting key projects around the world. With an extensive fleet in the UK and Europe including compressors, cargo baskets, filtration units, rigging lofts, accommodation units, complete subsea packages, and lifting and inspection services, our turnkey equipment solutions set us apart as a leading provider of rentals for offshore wind, geothermal, decommissioning, and more.
For example – Centurion recently delivered on a major contract to provide a suite of subsea and back-of-deck equipment in Southeast Asia, which saw our teams across the Asia Pacific, UK and Middle East work together to provide a complete package of cutting tools, containers, and service personnel to support the customer’s critical subsea operations.
Centurion’s subsea team here in the UK supplied and shipped cutting equipment, while the Singapore-based team procured and fabricated other items locally to complete the equipment package. Two workshop containers were also supplied by Specialist Services, part of Centurion’s Middle East & North Africa region, carrying critical spares and tools to help maximize efficiency of the cutter’s 24-hour operations. Centurion’s competitive pricing, single supplier benefits and advanced equipment led to the successful award of this contract.
We are also committed to delivering equipment solutions that enhance efficiency and support our clients’ sustainability goals –a mission we’re especially proud to advance.
In-line with Centurion’s ambition to deliver cutting-edge solutions that reduce environmental footprint, our Accommodation & Modular team completed a contract that included the refurbishment of used assets to support a renewable energy customer.
The team worked to revitalize and sell a number of aged assets to the customer –including accommodation units and EX / nonEX modules – with the team carrying out the refurbishment work and re-certifying all units to offshore standards in just two weeks.
By upcycling old equipment instead of buying new units, we actively support our customers to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on quality – a great example of the circular economy in action.
Well positioned for energy’s next chapter
As a global leader in the supply of rentals and services to a range of critical industries, Centurion has made tremendous strides in expanding and investing in our equipment, technology, and services to deliver exceptional value for customers across the UK, Europe, and around the world.
Looking ahead at 2025 and beyond, the opportunities to support the development of an energy diverse future are abundant, and Centurion will play a central role in this significant new chapter supporting our customers to deliver on their critical projects, globally.
30MW IN GEOTHERMAL ENERGY BY 2026/2027
MORE geothermal investment activity is expected, enabling 30 megawatts to be added from this source to the national grid towards the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.
Dr Hatibu Kazungu, the Energy deputy permanent secretary, made this affirmation at the Global Geothermal Alliance meeting yesterday, within the 15th assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Tanzania’s geothermal potential is enhanced by two branches of the East African Rift Valley, he said, noting that surveys had identified 50 resource-rich sites across 16 regions now at various stages of development.
He urged private investors and the development partners to contribute to the production of clean, sustainable energy, as the Tanzania Geothermal Development Co. (TGDC), a subsidiary of the power utility TANESCO, is working on five strategic projects.
He listed them as Ngozi (70 MW), KiejoMbaka (60 MW), Songwe (38 MW), Luhoi (5 MW) and Natron (60 MW).
Resource verification and detailed studies are being undertaken for the projects, he said, noting that generating geothermal energy would bolster the economy, protect the environment and create jobs.
Experts say that geothermal energy is a renewable energy derived from the earth’s core, arising from tectonic mechanisms and the decay of radioactive materials.
This thermal energy is stored in rocks and fluids, where an interested company from across the border, KenGen began drilling its first well in Djibouti in November 2021 after securing a contract worth $4.9m earlier in February.
In the same year, the Kenyan firm also secured contracts for drilling wells and providing consultancy services in Ethiopia, while Tanzania’s geothermal potential shows that it can supply up to 5,000 megawatts.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $92.6mn financing agreement with geothermal power producer Supreme Energy Muara Laboh (SEML) to develop Indonesia's geothermal power capabilities.
The funds will go toward the expansion of a geothermal facility at Muara Laboh in West Sumatra, and the construction, operation and maintenance of a new 83MW geothermal power plant, the ADB announced on 14 January.
The support will "help Indonesia to meet its clean energy targets and deliver affordable electricity," said the ADB's country director for Indonesia, Jiro Tominaga. The project will also allow Indonesia to enhance its long-term energy security, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The finance package consists of $38.8mn from the bank's ordinary capital resources, a $38.8mn "B loan" from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, and a $15mn concessional loan from the Australian Climate Finance Partnership (ACFP).
Indonesia has the world's largest geothermal energy reserves, estimated at 23.1GW, said the ADB. But the country is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs, with coal accounting for 61.8pc of Indonesia's power mix in 2023, while renewables accounted for 19pc.
Indonesia's president Prabowo Subianto announced in November that Indonesia intends to retire all coal-fired power plants by 2040, and the government subsequently clarified that it is instead aiming for a coal phase-down.
But a phase-out could be possible if the country rapidly increases its share of renewables in the energy mix to 65pc, according to energy thinktank Ember. This would mean a renewable energy target higher than the government's current goal of 75GW by 2040.
FINLAND HAS DISCOVERED GEOTHERMAL ENERGY THAT WILL LAST MILLIONS OF YEARS
Groundbreaking Discovery in Finland: Geothermal Energy Source Could Power the Nation for 20 Million Years
Finland has unveiled an extraordinary geothermal energy source capable of powering the country for an estimated 20 million years, positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable energy innovation. This groundbreaking discovery provides a model for other nations seeking to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The geothermal energy source, located beneath Finnish soil, taps into a virtually limitless supply of heat from the Earth’s crust. Geothermal energy works by utilizing heat from deep underground to generate electricity and provide heating. Following Iceland’s success in geothermal applications, Finland is taking the technology further, with scalable potential across Europe.
The first geothermal heating plant, based in Vantaa, is already operational, as reported by Eco News. It generates 2,600 MW annually, enough to heat approximately 130 homes. This milestone marks the integration of geothermal heat into Finland’s district heating networks for the first time. The plant also reduces emissions by 95% compared to fossil fuel alternatives, aligning perfectly with Finland’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Challenges of Geothermal Energy
While geothermal energy holds immense promise, it is not without its challenges. Accessing geothermal reservoirs requires
advanced deep drilling technology, which remains underdeveloped. According to IVIS News, limitations in drilling and production methods could delay the widespread adoption of geothermal projects. Additional challenges include environmental impacts, cost considerations, and the need for longterm sustainability assessments.
Despite these hurdles, Finland’s innovation has the potential to inspire other nations. For instance, French company CGG (Compagnie Générale de Géophysique-Veritas) is actively exploring similar geothermal projects, including one in the North Sea.
A Reliable, Renewable Energy Solution
Geothermal energy’s consistency and minimal environmental impact make it a vital resource in the fight against climate change. Unlike solar or wind power, which depend on weather conditions, geothermal energy is accessible year-round. Finland’s pioneering project showcases how this resource can provide dependable, renewable energy while significantly cutting carbon emissions.
This discovery represents more than an energy breakthrough—it is a beacon of hope for a sustainable future, both for Finland and the world.
GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH DRILLING BEGINS IN DE BILT, NETHERLANDS
Research Well to Assess Geothermal Potential in Northern Netherlands and Support Transition to Renewable Energy
Drilling has commenced for geothermal exploration in the municipality of De Bilt, located in Utrecht, Netherlands. This research well will reach a maximum depth of approximately 2,000 meters, with the drilling process expected to take 10 to 12 weeks.
This initiative in De Bilt is part of the national SCAN program, designed to assess geothermal energy potential across the Netherlands. The program is being implemented by Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) in partnership with TNO. De Bilt marks the fourth site for research drilling under the SCAN initiative, following successful operations in Ouder-Amstel, Heijningen, and Heesch.
The purpose of drilling at the Utrechtseweg site in De Bilt is to gather subsurface data across various geological layers. This data will help evaluate the feasibility of geothermal resource development in the northern regions of Utrecht, North Holland, Flevoland, and Gelderland.
While this research well will not directly produce heat, it could lay the foundation for future geothermal heat extraction. The initiative aligns with De Bilt’s broader strategy to phase out natural gas and expand its renewable energy sources.
“We want to generate more and more green energy, but at the moment we cannot always get all the energy on the electricity grid. We are now only allowed to generate solar and wind energy. That is why every alternative form of energy generation is one to be taken seriously,” explained Alderman Krischan Hagedoorn.
Credits: Landsvirkjun
Credits: (SCAN)
How do you build a hydrogen economy in the Highlands of Scotland?
Laura Petrie is a partner at Brodies LLP, specialising in energy.
It is an exciting time to be involved in energy in the Highlands of Scotland.
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport recently set out its plans to develop a state-of-the-art hub in the Cromarty Firth for the production, storage and distribution of green hydrogen throughout Scotland, the UK and out to Europe.
In the next ten years, hydrogen will become a key element in the energy transition matrix, and the readily-available water supplies, coupled with significant excess electricity from offshore wind power sites that are abundant in the region, means this is a prime location to base these types of projects.
So, what steps are needed to build a hydrogen economy in this particular region?
Hydrogen generation development
There are already a number of projects across the Highlands focused on hydrogen generation. As well as the Cromarty Hydrogen Hub, there is a hydrogen hub in development in Oban, in the South-west of Scotland, and several whisky distilleries are investigating independent hydrogen generation and proposals for hydrogen refuelling sites throughout the region.
While it's early days for these projects, there is a need for specific supplies to support this growing industry.
Transporting hydrogen is key
The diverse nature of the Highlands – steep hills, sweeping A-class roads and winding, sometimes single-track roads - means that ensuring appropriate infrastructure is in place for hydrogen transport is key to unlocking the viability of the economy. Whether this would be by road or pipeline is undecided for now, but there are several factors at play for determining the best option.
Currently, there is a shortage of road tankers suitable for the haulage of hydrogen in the UK and internationally. Coupled with a shortage of viable steel for building more tankers, there is a need to adapt or import more tanker capacity. Road hauliers should consider how best to meet that growing need for transport options in the near term.
Moreover, the opportunity to develop a bespoke hydrogen pipeline network, traversing Scotland, the UK and extending over to Europe, remains under consideration.
The Net Zero Technology Centre in Aberdeen continues to assess the viability of constructing the 'Hydrogen Backbone Link,' which would connect Scotland with Ireland and either the Netherlands and/or Germany. This follows a direct request from the German government to the UK, to consider constructing a North Sea pipeline that would deliver hydrogen into the German market.
Bigger picture
Ongoing construction requirements for each of the development projects, alongside the possibility for pipeline construction, means that there are going to be significant developments required in other areas, to meet the demand for resources.
Movement of skilled workers from other regions (permanently and/or on a transient basis) will increase the need for suitable accommodation, while movement of both hydrogen and people will need improvements to key infrastructure – an area the public sector needs to be encouraged to develop.
There will also be increased demand for raw materials and manufacture of component parts for hydrolysers, control panels, pipework and a range of other production elements. These items will need transported and stored during the construction phase, leading to other opportunities for hauliers and those with yard space.
First steps
For those with the stock, skills and services to support the development of the Highland hydrogen economy over the next ten years, now is the time for them to refresh terms and conditions, overhauling stock and preparing their position for tendering as the projects progress.
In addition, continual lobbying to upgrade infrastructure and have a transport network in place, will support the growing hydrogen industry, and ensure that once produced, the hydrogen has somewhere to go.
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The Dual Power of Farming and Solar Energy
Written by Dylan Langford MEng – Associate Director
As global populations grow and demand for energy and food intensifies, innovative solutions that maximize land use while promoting sustainability are becoming essential. Agri-voltaics, which integrates agriculture with solar energy production, is a transformative approach addressing these dual needs. By co-locating solar panels with crops, the same land can serve two purposes: generating renewable energy and cultivating food. Advances in technology and design are driving agrivoltaics from experimental projects to scalable systems, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The Concept of Agri-Voltaics
Traditional solar farms require large areas of land, leading to potential conflicts over its use, particularly in agricultural regions. Agrivoltaics resolves this by combining solar energy systems with farmland. Solar panels are installed at heights and spacing that allow sunlight to reach crops below while generating electricity.
This dual-use arrangement benefits both agriculture and energy production. Crops gain protection from extreme weather and reduced water evaporation due to partial shading from the panels, while the agricultural setting keeps solar panels cooler, enhancing their efficiency.
Advances in Agri-Voltaic Technology
Innovations in design and materials have significantly improved the performance of agri-voltaic systems:
1. Dynamic and Bifacial Panels
Dynamic solar panels that tilt and adjust throughout the day maximize sunlight capture and regulate the amount of light reaching crops. Bifacial panels, which absorb sunlight from both their top and bottom surfaces, further enhance energy output while ensuring sufficient light for plants.
2.
Semi-Transparent Panels
Semi-transparent solar panels allow some sunlight to pass through, creating an optimized light environment for crops. These panels are being designed to transmit wavelengths most beneficial for photosynthesis, ensuring crop growth while generating electricity.
3. Optimized Layouts
New modeling tools help design solar panel layouts that balance energy generation with agricultural productivity. These tools consider factors like crop type, climate conditions, and seasonal sunlight patterns to achieve optimal outcomes.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Agri-voltaics provides significant environmental and economic advantages:
1. Efficient Land Use
By enabling dual use of land, agri-voltaics addresses the competition between solar farms and agriculture. This is particularly beneficial in areas where arable land is scarce.
2. Water Conservation
The shade provided by solar panels reduces water evaporation, lowering irrigation needs, especially in arid regions. Studies have shown water savings of up to 20% compared to traditional farming.
3. Crop Protection and Resilience
Solar panels protect crops from extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, hail, and strong winds. This helps improve yields and offers farmers a buffer against climate change impacts.
4. Financial Opportunities for Farmers
Agri-voltaics provides farmers with dual income streams: from agricultural products and selling electricity. The system also reduces energy costs, as farms can use the electricity generated on-site to power irrigation and machinery.
Real-World Applications
Agri-voltaic systems are being adopted worldwide, demonstrating their potential:
• France: Vineyards are using solar panels to protect grapevines from heat stress, improving grape quality while generating renewable energy.
• Japan: Rice farmers integrate solar panels with crops, benefiting from reduced heat stress and water requirements while producing electricity.
• India: Farmers are adopting agri-voltaics to power irrigation systems and diversify income in regions with high energy demands.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its promise, agri-voltaics faces challenges, including high initial installation costs and uncertainties about long-term soil health impacts. However, decreasing solar panel prices, government subsidies, and advancements in technology are addressing these barriers.
Collaboration between governments, research institutions, and private companies is essential for scaling agri-voltaics effectively. Policy incentives and publicprivate partnerships will be key to making this approach accessible to farmers worldwide.
Conclusion
Agri-voltaics is redefining how land can be used sustainably. By combining food production with renewable energy generation, it addresses critical challenges like land scarcity, climate change, and energy transitions. With continued innovation and adoption, agri-voltaics has the potential to transform both agriculture and energy sectors, creating a win-win solution for a growing population and a changing planet.
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Balfour Beatty awarded contract to unlock renewable energy capacity between Scotland and England
Balfour Beatty has announced that it has been awarded a contract by Prysmian to install 68 kilometres of high voltage direct current (HVDC) land cables from Fraisthorpe Sands to Drax in Yorkshire, England, as well as an additional 1 kilometre of HVDC land cable at Peterhead, in Scotland.
The contract forms part of the 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical ‘superhighway’ cable link, 525kV, to be built between Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and Drax in North Yorkshire, England.
The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project is being jointly developed by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission. Prysmian was awarded a contract worth in the region of €1.9 billion (£1.6 billion) by EGL2 Limited earlier this year, to design, manufacture, install, test and commission the required HVDC cable system which includes 436 kilometres of HVDC submarine cables.
Balfour Beatty is delivering approximately 15% of the route on behalf of Prysmian, building on the company’s appointment by
National Grid in June 2024, to replace and upgrade approximately 25 kilometres of new overhead lines in North Yorkshire, which will increase the capacity to connect the EGL2 project.
The cables will be installed underground, to reduce the visual impact of the scheme and ensure that the landscape across East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and at Peterhead remains unhindered for the local community and visitors alike.
The cables will connect to new converter stations located at either end of the cable, which will convert the clean, renewable wind energy that has been generated offshore and take it to homes and businesses in centres of demand across Great Britain.
and Distribution business said: “With a proven track record of working on complex cabling projects, this contract further demonstrates our leading role in delivering the vital infrastructure needed to reinforce the energy sector.
“Our experience and deep domain knowledge positions us perfectly to complete these latest works for the project which will power around two million homes and businesses, supporting the UK’s transition to clean energy.”
Balfour Beatty’s selection further bolsters its portfolio of nationally critical power transmission and distribution projects including the company’s recent appointment to deliver the £363 million Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement scheme.
Main works are expected to commence in early 2025, with completion scheduled for 2029. At construction peak, the project is expected to employ 140 people including graduate and apprenticeship positions as part of Balfour Beatty’s commitment to The 5% Club.
Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission
RES
awarded contract for UK’s first transmission-connected co-located solar and storage facility
Independent renewable energy company RES has been awarded the asset management contract for the landmark Larks Green project, the UK’s first co-located solar and battery energy storage system connected to the transmission network.
Developed by Enso Energy and owned by Cero Generation, the site near Bristol combines 70 MW of solar power with a 50 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), delivering renewable energy to the grid when it’s needed most. This milestone reinforces RES’ position as a trusted partner in renewable energy services, – supporting 41 GW of renewable assets across 1,300 sites globally, including a significant portfolio in the UK.
RES already provides O&M services to the solar farm and has been its asset manager for approximately one year. It will now also manage the BESS to oversee the operational performance of the combined Larks Green
project to ensure it delivers maximum value for the grid and local communities.
“As the UK accelerates its shift to netzero, projects like Larks Green underline the importance of integrating cutting-edge technologies with experienced partners to deliver sustainable energy solutions” said Robert Mattholie, Head of Solar and Storage Asset Management, Northern Europe at RES.
“This project demonstrates the potential of colocated renewable energy and storage systems to strengthen the UK’s energy resilience. We are delighted to partner with Cero Generation to ensure Larks Green operates efficiently and reliably, setting a benchmark for the future of renewable energy infrastructure.”
Seaway7 awarded foundation installation contract on Inch Cape, UK
Seaway7 has signed a vessel reservation agreement with Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm1 for the transportation and installation of turbines for the Dogger Bank project, offshore the UK. Offshore works are expected to commence in 2026.
This represents additional work for Seaway7 at this development, where it is currently installing monopile foundations and transition pieces. The value related to this substantial2 agreement will be recognised in backlog in the fourth quarter.
Seaway7 signs vessel reservation agreement for Dogger Bank Wind Farm
Seaway7 has signed a vessel reservation agreement with Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm1 for the transportation and installation of turbines for the Dogger Bank project, offshore the UK. Offshore works are expected to commence in 2026.
This represents additional work for Seaway7 at this development, where it is currently installing monopile foundations and transition pieces.
The value related to this substantial2 agreement will be recognised in backlog in the fourth quarter.
1. Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm is a joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).
2. Subsea7 defines a substantial contract as being between $150 million and $300 million
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Travel Trends in 2025
As we enter the new year, 2025 will present new opportunities for growth, to collaborate across sectors and throughout the supply chain, and to drive the energy industry forward.
The key to unlocking these new opportunities? Breaking down barriers and strengthening our ability to get together to share ideas and work together for a better future.
Naturally, with energy projects, discussions, and assets taking the workforce to international locations, travel will continue to play a critical role in the supporting the industry achieve its goals. Whether C-Suite executives travelling for meetings, sales managers attending events, or the men and women working on rigs and vessels powering the industry and the communities it serves, logistics are unavoidable. How and where we source energy is set for change, as is travel.
A recent survey found that almost 50% of businesses in EMEA regions are planning to increase travel plans in 2025. With this increase in demand, the latest travel management policies, strategies, and technologies will be integral in maximising the efficiency of corporate travel wherever the new year takes you.
Recovery
After four years of pandemic-induced volatility where companies navigated through fluctuating costs and market conditions, there is an end in sight. A report from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) points to 2025 being the year of stabilisation where the travel market can rebound after a challenging period.
The anticipation of a more stable market aligns with reports of an increase in travel plans. For the energy industry, this means greater opportunities to travel, expand our networks, explore new opportunities to collaborate, and tackle challenges as a united industry. An increased in travel allows all those in the supply chain to visit new regions and markets and forge new partnerships that can support business objectives. However, an increased focus on travel also comes with an increased responsibility for the workforce and the environment.
Responsible Travel
If the frequency of travel is to increase, so to must the considerations for changing Net Zero legislation. Companies are used to navigating pressures surrounding sustainability efforts and that will continue this year. Across travel industry reports and surveys, sustainability is often cited as a top priority, and we have seen an increase in actions being taken to reflect this.
For the energy industry, a more responsible approach to travel is non-negotiable to remain on the path to Net Zero by targeting and successfully reducing Scope 3 emissions. But support from travel experts is needed to maintain that journey so travel managers will continue to play an integral role in creating carbon reduction strategies that support organisation’s overall goals - without sacrificing necessary travel. A poll from GBTA found that while sustainability is a focus, travel managers cite complexity as a barrier to achieving goals. Expertise combined with technology is a must.
Technology & Innovation
Technology will help many across the industry streamline their approach to sustainability while enhancing the customer experience. Further investment in travel technology has led to greater innovation with new technologies emerging – many of which enhanced by AI.
For sustainability, this will allow operators to track, manage, and, with platforms such as ATPI Halo, even offset Scope 3 emissions. These technologies can source sustainable alternatives to lower emissions while pinpointing eco-friendly accommodation and investing in carbon offset programmes.
Alongside being a positive for sustainability efforts, innovative travel technologies also benefit the customer in several ways. With an increased adoption of AI, the travel experience is only getting better thanks to enhanced capabilities including personalised itineraries that are bespoke to each traveller and incorporate their preferences. Meanwhile, for travel managers and admin assistants, platforms such as ATPI’s CrewHub will focus on streamlined crew management to support the transfer of the workforce to and from assets.
2025 will present exciting opportunities to make the most of travel across the energy industry, facilitated with the support, expertise, and technology of leading TMCs like ATPI.
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Our training is supported with global training management solutions and the capabilities and experience to deliver bespoke and flexible training to suit your project requirements and timelines.
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