Oil giant Shell confirmed it plans to enter the UK offshore wind sector.
Shell’s New Energies executive vice president Mark Gainsborough told Reuters the group “absolutely would like to get a position” in the UK market, either by bidding for a lease or buying a stake in an existing project.
He told the financial news agency Shell would take an “active role” in a new round of offshore wind leasing expected later this year.
Shell is already active at various stages in the Dutch, French and US offshore wind sectors.
The oil group last week concluded a buying spree of clean-energy related assets, including stakes in two innovative offshore wind technologies – one with Google-owner Alphabet – and battery pioneer Sonnen.
Fellow oil group Equinor is already active in the UK offshore sector, with both floating and fixed-foundation projects. French fossil giant Total has just said it will try to enter the sector for the first time with a bid in France.
