SSE Renewables Calls For More Use Of Non-Price Criteria In Offshore Wind Auctions
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
SSE Renewables is calling on European governments and regulators and internationally to make greater use of non-price criteria (NPC) in offshore wind energy auctions, whether for seabed or for contracts for difference (CfD).
This is the first paragraph.
The renewable energy company said that the use of non-price criteria in auctions for new offshore wind can help support a sustainable renewable energy sector that delivers long-term value for society.
This document on the SSE Renewables web site is entitled Non-Price Criteria In Renewables Auctions and these are the points from the Executive Summary from the document.
- Use of non-price criteria (NPC) in auctions is important to deliver renewables projects which are deliverable, on time and on budget, and provide long term value to society and the environment.
- NPC must be well-designed, carefully implemented, with transparent assessment and monitoring of commitments to avoid overcomplication and risk of legal challenges.
- Seabed leasing auctions for offshore wind are best suited for use of NPC, as it is early enough in the development stage for commitments to be delivered; and avoids having to rely on purely financial bidding which risks adding to the cost of offshore wind.
- The most appropriate NPC are track record and deliverability of projects. Beyond that, criteria related to sustainability (circularity; workforce and skills); ecological protection and enhancement; and supply chain development.
- NPC in new offshore wind markets should be focused on deliverability and track record, and included as a pre-requisite to participate, rather than a point of competition.
- More diverse non-price criteria are best suited to mature offshore wind markets where there will generally be more competition from developers to build a project.
- It is more complicated to apply non-price criteria into offtake (CfD) auctions, with re-ranking of bidders the best approach to properly incentivise the right behaviour.
- It is important that there is transparency of how successful bidders were scored against NPC; what commitments have been made and how they will be held accountable for delivery at different milestones.
Note.
- It is good to see phrases like “track record and deliverability of projects” being embedded in this list of points.
- As a designer of successful project management software, I know the importance of this.
- I believe, that SSE Renewables are right to desire wider criteria for offshore wind energy auctions.
I suspect too, that there are software ideas in my past, that would make the development of offshore wind easier and more predictable.
Shell And Eneco Joint Venture Looks To Build Greener Offshore Wind Farm
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Ecowende, the joint venture (JV) of Shell and Eneco, has unveiled plans for building an offshore wind farm that will be in harmony with nature, with minimal impact on birds, bats, and marine mammals.
This is the first paragraph.
Ecowende, which presented its holistic approach at WindDay 2023, said it is going to implement various innovations, large-scale mitigating and stimulating ecological measures, and an extensive above and under-water monitoring and research programme.
This is all good stuff.
These two paragraphs outline some ideas that will be tried.
Specific measures include increasing the height of the lowest tip of the rotor blades, creating a corridor to Natura 2000 area by placing the turbines extra far apart, and an option to bring the turbines to a standstill that adapts to the flight movements of birds in the wind farm.
This way, Ecowende expects to minimise the number of bird and bat collisions.
The Natura 2000 areas are described in this web site.
Other innovative ideas are described in these two paragraphs.
Biodegradable reef structures are being constructed using fruit trees sourced from Dutch fruit farms. These tree reefs offer a place for fish to shelter and reproduce, according to the press release.
Ecowende said it will also install various forms of eco-friendly erosion protection and the oyster larvae network will be expanded to spread the native flat oyster population.
It certainly looks like Ecowende are making sure, that Just Stop Oil’s offshoot; Just Stop Wind doesn’t take root!
Climate Change: Y Bryn Wind Farm Aids Net Zero Aim – Developer
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A new onshore wind farm could help Wales move towards its net zero target by 2050, say developers.
These two paragraphs outline the scheme.
But some local people called the Y Bryn plan between Port Talbot and Maesteg a “blight on the landscape”.
The plan, first proposed in 2021, now includes 18 turbines up to 250m (820ft), rather than the original 26.
I feel that we need to develop renewable energy all round the UK.
This project, is obviously felt by the developers to be a serious proposition, judging by the very professional web site.
Some places like the Midlands and the South of England are a long way from large offshore wind and nuclear developments, but Port Talbot and Maesteg may be close enough to planned offshore wind farms, that this wind farm may need not to be developed.
I shall be following this development.
The Anonymous Widower 