RIDG to advise UK Offshore Transmission Network Review

Marc Smeed, Associate Director for Grid and Power offtake at RIDG, has been invited to support the UK Government’s review into offshore transmission networks through its Expert Panel.

The review is focused on ensuring that future developments in offshore transmission can be designed and delivered in a more coordinated way. Launched by Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng in July 2020, the review is looking at the existing offshore transmission regime to address the barriers to further significant deployment of offshore wind, with a view to achieving net zero ambitions by 2050.

Marc said:

The current regime has successfully delivered efficient, point-to-point connections for the UK’s fleet of offshore wind farms. Better coordination could however reduce bills and minimise the impact on coastal communities and environments affected by the future cable routing needed to deliver UK and Scottish government ambitions. National Grid have also estimated that offshore transmission costs could decrease by up to one third because of this. The need to coordinate designs from day one is going to be critical to capitalise on these opportunities as the national offshore wind portfolio expands. With the next rounds of seabed leasing through ScotWind and Round 4 advancing, and recent announcements on increased ambition for offshore wind by 2030, now is the right time to be taking stock and to ensure that the regime is still fit for purpose.”