Offshore Vessel Charging Tech Developer Plans Commercial Rollout In UK
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Stillstrom, part of A.P. Moller – Maersk and based in Denmark, has established a dedicated entity in Aberdeen, Scotland, with plans to roll out its offshore vessel charging solution commercially in the UK.
These three paragraphs add more details.
The solution is transitioning from development to commercial deployment, and, according to a press release issued by Stillstrom on 16 March, the company is targeting one of the world’s most active offshore wind markets for the commercial rollout.
Stillstrom has been developing offshore charging solutions for service operations vessels (SOVs) since 2019, with testing and collaboration carried out with shipowners and developers in Aberdeen. SOVs are amongst the most energy-intensive ships operating at offshore wind farms, according to Stillstrom.
The company says that this has now translated into tangible momentum, with significant discussions underway with major wind farms, as well as partnership and compatibility agreements signed with leading SOV owners and operators.
Welsh Government Backs Marine Power Systems’ Floating Wind Tech With GBP 8 Million
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The Welsh government has invested GBP 8 million (approximately EUR 9.4 million) in Marine Power Systems (MPS) to support the commercialisation of its floating offshore wind technology.
These three paragraphs add more detail to the story.
According to the company, the funding will accelerate the deployment of its PelaFlex platform, a floating wind solution designed for deep-water sites where conventional fixed-bottom foundations are not viable.
Marine Power Systems said the investment will help move the technology from advanced development towards commercial-scale deployment and manufacturing. The company also plans to expand its industrial and assembly capabilities in the UK.
The PelaFlex platform has been designed to simplify fabrication, installation and long-term operations while enabling wind farms to be located further offshore where wind speeds are typically stronger and more consistent, MPS says.
The offshore wind industry in Wales seems to be gearing up for a big expansion.
Gwynt Glas is the collective name for the three 1.5 GW floating wind farms in the Western Approaches and in Gwynt Glas And South Wales Ports Combine Strength In Preparation For Multi-Billion Floating Wind Industry, I describe the initial agreement that started the Gwynt Glas project.
To my mind, Associated British Ports and the wind farm developers are making sure they can carpet the Western Approaches, with offshore wind farms.
In Ocean Winds Enters Lease Agreement With Crown Estate For 1.5 GW Celtic Sea Floating Wind Project, I talk in general about the progress of the first three 1.5 GW floating wind farms in Gwynt Glas and in particular about leasing of the third wind farm.
These two posts, indicate that the Port of Port Talbot is preparing itself to produce the floaters for floating wind turbines.
- BW Ideol, ABP To Explore Serial Production Of Floating Wind Foundations At Port Talbot
- Two Ports Advance To Next Stage Of UK Gov Funding For Floating Wind
It certainly appears, that South Wales will be able to build the heavyweight gubbins for floating offshore wind.
According to Was South Wales Once The World’s Largest Coal Exporter? it was, and in 1913, the region produced 57 million tons of coal, with more than half exported.
It does look like South Wales is going to repeat the economic success with offshore energy.
I’ve heard tales from elderly Welshmen talking of the coal ships in the docks of South Wales and will we be seeing gas tankers in the docks of South Wales?
RWE Orders 2.76 GW Of Offshore Wind Turbines At Vestas
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
RWE has placed a firm wind turbine order with Vestas for its 1,380 MW Vanguard East offshore wind project in the UK, shortly after confirming a firm order for Vanguard West, which will have the same installed capacity.
These three paragraphs add more details.
For Vanguard East, Vestas will supply, deliver, and commission 92 of its V236-15.0 MW wind turbines, and will also be in charge of servicing them under a five-year service agreement, followed by a long-term operational support agreement.
RWE expects to make a final investment decision (FID) for both Vanguard East and Vanguard West in the summer of 2026, with wind turbine deliveries for Vanguard East to begin in the fourth quarter of 2028.
The commissioning of Vanguard West is expected in 2029, with Vanguard East following suit in 2030.
Note.
- On the 23rd of February, 2026, RWE placed a similar order for Vanguard West with Vestas.
- In Global Investor Joining RWE On Two Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Projects, FID Expected in Summer, I describe how KKR are taking a stake in the two of the Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Projects.
Things are looking good for RWE, Norfolk and wind power.
How Much Electricity Do You Need To Charge A Garage Full Of Electric Buses?
Consider.
- A couple of years ago, I had a long discussion and a few beers with three managers of bus garages.
- In First Bus To Launch 1MW BESS Unit In Hampshire, Aberdeen To Follow, I talk about a specialist battery to charge buses.
- In Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On line At Hiroshima?, I talk about an efficient, renewable power supply for an LNG Terminal.
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this comprehensive answer.
Charging a full garage of electric buses requires massive amounts of electricity, with typical, non-optimized charging for a 100-bus depot capable of drawing nearly 10 megawatts (MW) of power. To put this into perspective, a 100-bus depot might require roughly 150 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy to recharge over an eight-hour night.
Key Factors and Energy Requirements
Energy Consumption per Bus: A typical electric bus has a battery capacity between 300-500 kWh. Energy consumption averages around 1.11 to 1.35 kWh/km, with higher consumption in winter or with heavy A/C use.
Total Depot Power: For a 100-bus depot, power requirements can reach 10 MW, equivalent to the power output of a small hydroelectric dam.
Optimal Charging: Using smart charging, a 100-bus depot can reduce its peak demand to around 4 MW.
Daily Usage: A single, large electric bus can consume up to 500 kWh per day, with daily demand ranging from 189 to 231 kWh for typical operations.
Infrastructure and Grid Considerations
Charging Infrastructure: Depots often use 40 kW to 250 kW chargers, with 100 kW common for overnight charging.
Grid Capacity: A 34-bus depot might require a new 1000kVA transformer to handle the load.
Voltage: 11,000 volts may be required to power new substations, which are then stepped down to 400 volts for charging.
Operational Factors Affecting Energy Need
Heating and Cooling: Cold weather can increase energy consumption by up to 45% (due to electric heating).
Driving Style: Inefficient driving can increase energy consumption by 0.24 kWh/km above average.
Regenerative Braking: This can recover 37–40% of energy for 40-60 ft buses.
Cost Implications
Energy Bills: A 100-bus depot can incur monthly energy bills between $112,000 and $515,000 without optimization.
Cost Savings: Electric buses are generally cheaper to fuel, costing ~£0.21/mile compared to £0.49/mile for diesel.
Could A System Based On The Sumitomo/Highview Power System At Hiroshima Charge Electric Buses?
The optimal charging figure for a 100-bus garage would appear to be in the region of 4-5 MW.
In Is Sumitomo Heavy Industries Highview Power Energy Storage System On line At Hiroshima?, I state, that it looks like Highview Power’s CRYOBattery™ at the heart of the system has a capacity of 5 MW/20 MWh.
I also state in the post, that the Hiroshima facility is designed to support grid stability and enhance renewable energy integration.
Does this all mean that if you can install enough solar panels on the roof of the garage or perhaps a wind turbine nearby, that you can have buses substantially powered by the sun and wind.
Chicago would just love wind-powered buses!
Do British And German Offshore Wind Farm Generate Maximum Power At Different Times
In National Grid, TenneT Germany Launch GriffinLink, A First Of A Find Project To Maximise Offshore Wind, I discussed GriffinLink, which will be an offshore link between British and German offshore wind farms.
Somebody has asked me if wind farms are in phase with each other, as obviously this would effect how they perform and are are controlled.
So I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this reply.
Yes, British and German offshore wind farms often generate their maximum power at different times, although they are both located in the North Sea and share similar peak seasons. The variations in generation are driven by localized weather patterns, specifically the movement of low-pressure systems.
Key Differences in Generation Times:
Regional Weather Patterns: While North Sea wind farms are often closely correlated, significant differences arise when weather systems move from west to east. Wind often hits the UK’s North Sea sites first, meaning they may hit maximum generation capacity hours before German or Danish sites, which are further east.
Time of Day (Diurnal Differences): Because UK wind farms are located in the Irish Sea, the Scottish coast, and the North Sea, they can exhibit different diurnal (daily) peak times compared to German sites in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Seasonal Peaks: Both countries experience the highest output during winter months (e.g., December). However, during specific, localized, long-lasting high-pressure systems (“Dunkelflaute”), one country might experience a complete drop in wind while the other continues to produce, or vice versa.
Why They Differ:
Geography: The UK’s extensive, spread-out coastline (Irish Sea, Atlantic coast, North Sea) offers a different wind profile than the more concentrated German offshore projects in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Correlation Challenges: Research shows that while North Sea countries have similar wind profiles, there is not 100% correlation. Meteorological differences in how wind speeds behave across the North Sea allow for complementary production.
This difference is highly advantageous for European energy security, as it allows for the balancing of intermittent wind power across the region.
The conclusion from Google AI, is almost predicting that GriffinLink will be developed. From my experience of mathematical modelling the cost and financial benefits should be fairly easy to predict.
Will The UK And The Republic Of Ireland Link Their Offshore Wind Farms To Improve Efficiency?
This may seem an obvious idea, especially as UK and Republic of Ireland are heavily interconnected.
So I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this reply.
Yes, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are taking significant, active steps to link their offshore wind farms and electricity grids to improve efficiency, increase renewable energy production, and enhance energy security. Following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2023, the two countries are collaborating on developing subsea energy infrastructure in the Irish and Celtic Seas.
Here are the key details regarding this cooperation:
Deepened Collaboration: As of March 2025, the UK and Ireland are working on a new data-sharing arrangement to lay the groundwork for directly connecting offshore wind farms to each other’s national energy networks.
Offshore Hybrid Assets (OHAs): The plans include developing offshore hybrid assets, which are subsea cables that directly link offshore wind farms to both countries’ grids, reducing infrastructure costs and maximizing efficiency.
Subsea Mapping & Interconnection: Both nations are mapping the Celtic Sea to identify optimal locations for interconnectors and to improve the interoperability of their grids.
Existing & New Projects: While Ireland’s current interconnection to the UK is limited (approx. 500MW), capacity is planned to increase significantly. Specific projects like Mares Connect (linking North Wales and Ireland) are being developed to provide750MW of additional capacity.
Regional Cooperation: Ireland is also participating in the “Hamburg Declaration” (signed Jan 2026), joining the UK and other North Sea countries to commit to 300GW of offshore wind by 2050 through shared, regional infrastructure.
This cooperation aims to allow Ireland to export its surplus renewable energy during high generation, while benefiting from the UK’s robust grid during lower wind conditions.
Will The UK AndNorway Link Their Offshore Wind Farms To Improve Efficiency?
As we have interconnectors with Norway, I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this section and received this reply.
Yes, the UK and Norway are actively planning and implementing initiatives to link their offshore wind farms and electricity grids to improve efficiency, energy security, and grid balancing. Following a series of agreements, including a major pact in January 2026, the two countries are collaborating on “hybrid” projects that connect offshore wind sites directly to multiple countries.
It does look like that the co-operations between the UK and Germany, Norway and the Republic of Ireland are setting examples that should be copied all over the world.
But then, you should always follow the mathematics.
But somehow, I can’t see President Trump signing any windmill co-operation with his neighbours.
National Grid, TenneT Germany Launch GriffinLink, A First Of A Find Project To Maximise Offshore Wind
The title of this post is the sane as that of this press release from National Grid.
These three bullet points serve as sub headings.
-
National Grid and TenneT Germany announce our cooperation on GriffinLink, a planned GB-Germany multi-purpose interconnector (MPI).
-
GriffinLink would support energy security, accelerate the connection of offshore wind and mark a coordinated approach on supply chains and infrastructure.
-
Announced at the North Sea Summit in Hamburg, the project could maximise shared offshore wind resources in the most efficient way.
These two paragraphs add more detail.
National Grid will partner with TenneT Germany to develop GriffinLink, a new multi-purpose interconnector (MPI) project, which could connect British and German offshore wind to both countries. It marks a step towards a more integrated, flexible, and efficient energy system for both Great Britain and Germany which delivers secure, affordable energy for consumers.
GriffinLink could make an important contribution to security of supply and market integration in northwestern Europe. Cross-border hybrid energy systems such as GriffinLink make it possible to feed cleaner electricity into the grid where it can be generated and transport it exactly where it is needed.
Note this integrated approach means.
- Better utilisation of the grids and is a more efficient use of renewable energy across national borders;
- Lowering the costs involved, and the supply chain materials required and;
- A reduced impact on coastal communities and the environment.
As a ‘multi-purpose’ interconnector connecting wind in two countries, GriffinLink would be the first project of its kind in Europe and a milestone for cross-border energy security and stability.
It will also connect the UK’s offshore wind power to someone someone who needs it and will pay good money for it.
I asked Google AI, “How much energy we will be exporting to Europe in 2030” and received this reply.
By 2030, the UK is expected to be exporting significant amounts of electricity to Germany, largely enabled by the NeuConnect interconnector, which is set to become operational around 2028 and will have a capacity of 1.4 GW. While precise, definitive figures for 2030 are subject to market conditions, key data suggests:
NeuConnect Capacity: The 725km subsea link between Kent (UK) and Wilhelmshaven (Germany) will allow 1.4 GW of electricity to flow in either direction.
Net Export Position: The UK is positioned to become a net exporter of electricity to Europe by the 2030s, fueled by a massive expansion in offshore wind capacity, aiming for up to 50GW by 2030.
Grid Interconnection: By 2030, the UK’s total interconnection capacity to Europe is planned to increase to 18GW, up from 8GW.
Hydrogen Focus: In addition to electricity, the UK is exploring the potential to export up to 35 TWh of hydrogen to Germany by 2030.
That will do nicely!
All Five Halted US Offshore Wind Farms Resume Construction
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
All five US offshore wind farms under construction that received stop-work orders from the US government have been cleared to continue building, with Ørsted’s Sunrise Wind project the fifth project to be granted a preliminary injunction as part of a lawsuit challenging the order issued by the Director of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on 22 December 2025.
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of the Oval Office in the White House, as what words could the dumbest United States President of my lifetime possibly use to put any positive spin on such an overwhelming five-round defeat, where he was screwed, glued and tattooed to borrow an expression from Brian, who was one of my favourite accountants.
This table summarises the five wind farms.
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind-Commercial – 2600 MW – Operation in 2027.
- Empire Wind 1 – 816 MW – Operation in 2026.
- Revolution Wind – 704 MW – Operation in 2026.
- Sunrise Wind – 924 MW – Operation in 2027.
- Vineyard Wind 1 – 804 MW – Operation in late 2026.
The five farms total nearly 6 GW.
This is what Google AI says about the usefulness of 6 GW to power typical United States houses.
6 gigawatts (GW) of power can supply approximately 5 million US homes, based on recent large-scale energy capacity deals. Depending on energy efficiency and regional usage, this capacity typically translates to around 750,000 homes per 1 GW, meaning 6 GW can cover a range of roughly 4.5 million to 5 million households.
I doubt Trump will give up gracefully.
Offshore Wind Farms Owned By CIP, JERA Nex BP Enter Lease With Crown Estate
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The 1.5 GW Mona offshore wind farm, owned by JERA Nex BP, and the 480 MW Morecambe, owned by Copehnagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), have entered into lease with the Crown Estate.
It looks like the 1.5 GW Mona and the 480 MW Morecambe wind farms, which were both given development consent in 2025, will be going ahead, but the 1.5 GW Morgan wind farm is to be discontinued, despite having development consent.
Mona and Morecambe would appear to be planned to be commissioned around 2030.
So if all goes well, that would appear to be 2 GW in the oven.
In CIP’s UK Offshore Wind Project Granted Development Consent, there is a comprehensive map of all the wind farms in Morecambe Bay.
‘Drone Boats Will Be The New Normal’
The title of this post is the same as this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A remotely operated boat will survey an area hundreds of miles offshore – while being controlled from an inland airport.
These two paragraphs add more details to the story.
The Orsted Examiner is being launched this week from Grimsby by the renewable energy company, which is currently building the Hornsea 3 windfarm in the North Sea.
The vessel contains enough fuel to be at sea for several months, and an internet connection means it can be remotely controlled from anywhere.
Note.
- This would appear to be an elegant way to improve both productivity and safety.
- In RWE Opens ‘Grimsby Hub’ For Offshore Wind Operations And Maintenance, I indicated that RWE will have a Grimsby hub.
- Will the two companies have similar drone boats?
I certainly agree with the title of the post.
Trump Administration’s Legal Setbacks Are Good News For Offshore Wind — And The Grid
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Tech Crunch.
These two paragraphs give more details.
The Trump administration suffered a series of legal setbacks this week after judges allowed work to restart on several offshore wind farms under construction on the East Coast.
The Department of the Interior had ordered a stop to five projects totaling 6 gigawatts of generating capacity in December, citing national security concerns. The judicial orders will allow three projects to resume construction: Revolution Wind off Rhode Island, Empire Wind off New York, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind off — you guessed it — Virginia.
The developers each filed lawsuits shortly after the Trump administration issued the stop work order, which had been effective for 90 days.
Trump is now learning you don’t win them all.
I would suggest that you read the full article, as there is a lot of good stuff there.
This is the concluding paragraph.
he potential is even bigger when viewed on a national scale. Offshore wind could generate 13,500 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, which is three times more than the U.S. currently consumes.
If the US, were to use all the fossil fuels, that Trump would like, there would be no point in buying Greenland as the Trump proportion of the resulting Global Warming would probably melt the country.
The Anonymous Widower 