- UK’s BEIS calls for expression of interest for a floating offshore wind fund.
- The government plans to support the development of wind energy.
The United Kingdom (UK) Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) over the weekend said that a GBP-160-million (USD 200m) floating offshore wind fund is now open for expressions of interest.
According to a report by Renewables Now, the government is seeking information on how to spend the funding, which was unveiled in October last year, to support the industry. The Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) is intended to back deepwater port infrastructure and private investment in new factories to produce components for floating offshore wind.
As expressed in the British Energy Security Strategy, the government will target up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating wind. A total of 15GW of floating offshore wind was announced in Scotland as part of the ScotWind leasing round, while another 4GW will be leased in the Celtic Sea.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the fund’s launch advances the government’s ambitions “to accelerate offshore wind as a source of affordable, homegrown energy for the UK and drive down bills for households.”
The request for information will close on July 15.