Significant opportunities in Southern North Sea wind

NORWICH, U.K. - March 2, 2016 - PRLog -- Offshore wind opens up a sea of opportunities for UK suppliers, according to Bruce Valpy of BVG Associates. Valpy was speaking at SNS2016, an event organised by East of England Energy Group (EEGGR) today at Norfolk Showground, Norwich.

“The offshore wind industry knows it has to reduce costs to get continued support,” said Valpy. “This means there are lots of opportunities for innovative companies to sell their ideas.”

Valpy welcomed the shift in industry conversations from “how much subsidy can we get” to “how quickly can we get free of subsidies”.

To achieve “subsidy-free” levels of generation, innovation is vital. The offshore wind industry already has a strong track-record of cost reduction and is always keen to adopt new ideas that increase efficiency.

Companies such as DONG, RWE, ScottishPower Renewables and Statkraft are all expected to install major off-shore wind farms in the Southern North Seain the next five years, with more to follow. This should provide a major boost to local economies and especially local companies that make themselves ready to serve the offshore wind industry. The region/UK already has a host of companies with experience of operating in the North Sea, albeit for oil and gas companies. Oil and gas companies have expertise working in the hostile offshore environments that are the next frontiers for offshore wind.  Many of these competencies should be transferrable to the offshore wind industry, with a little help.

Developers are also increasingly keen to maximise the local content of their developments to increase local support and comply with planning requirements.

“Offshore wind needs the skills of the offshore oil and gas supply chain,” added Valpy. “and oil and gas companies can generate much need new revenue from offshore renewables.”

Valpy was keen to point out that there are some significant differences between offshore wind and offshore oil and gas. In particular, the procurement, working and investment strategies can be very different between the sectors.

“Much of our current work with Oil and gas companies,” said Valpy, “is helping them understand the size of the opportunity in offshore wind and how best they can enter the supply chain”.

Such understanding, analysis and advice can help many UK companies start doing business much quicker than trying to go it alone.

There is a significant opportunity in offshore wind for UK companies that can demonstrate their value proposition and long-term commitment to offshore wind customers. They will then help achieve the UK industry’s strategic intention of having over 50% local content by 2020.

For more details or to arrange an interview with Bruce, please contact Stephen Mills, Head of Marketing and Communications, sgm@bvgassociates.com, +44 (0) 1793 799 037

About BVG Associates
BVG Associates is an independent consultancy with expertise in the technology, implementation and economics of renewable energy generation systems. As well as working “hands-on” in the sector, it has contributed to the growth of the sector through expert advice and the publication of a wide range of published reports. For more details, visit www.bvgassociates.co.uk or contact Stephen Mills, Head of Marketing and Communications, sgm@bvgassociates.com, +44 (0) 1793 799 037

About SNS2016: The Sea of Opportunity
SNS 2016 is EEEGR’s flagship Southern North Sea conference. It is the most important conference for the offshore energy sector in the East of England. Taking place over 2 days at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich, SNS2016 will be the largest conference and exhibition EEEGR has ever delivered attracting upwards of 500 delegates from across the industry and supply chain. Key industry players will gather at this event to discuss and debate issues, network to make new business contacts and re-establish relationships with existing clients.