IN DEPTH: Grid needs joined-up thinking

Siemens’ Matthew Knight, right, in front of the substation for the Gwynt y Môr wind farm off the Welsh coast

Siemens’ Matthew Knight, right, with David McVeigh of Harland and Wolff, in front of the substation for the Gwynt y Môr wind farm

A joined-up, “meshed” grid is one of the most obvious ways to bring down the cost of the UK’s offshore wind programme, yet there is no agreement on how — or even whether — it will ever happen.

There is little argument against the idea of such a grid, which would flow electricity from multiple projects and zones to shore in concert, says Moray Thomson, a partner at the MacRoberts law firm specialising in energy and planning.

Such an approach would lower capital costs and reduce environmental impacts, while minimising the need for upgrades to the onshore grid — often one of the toughest aspects of a project to bring through to consent. It would also facilitate the development of a North Sea supergrid in the…

Become a Recharge subscriber!

Or try our free trial.

Order Subscription

Already a member?

Login