Wood Thilsted: essential regulatory security for US offshore wind power
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As the United States finally gives the green light for its first large offshore wind farm, regulatory certainty will be key to the industry’s success on the east coast, according to Wood Thilsted.
Geotechnical and structural specialists, who (along with WSP USA), provide the detailed design for the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, also state that an optimal design of primary steel monopile foundations will be crucial for sustainability. and the growth of this sector rich in opportunities.
The Vineyard Wind project, a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), will add 800 MW of clean renewable energy to America’s current offshore production of just 42 MW. It is also expected to create around 3,600 jobs and provide enough electricity for 400,000 homes and businesses.
Hiram Mechling (PE), Associate Director and Vice President of Wood Thilsted USA, said: “Vineyard approval is a giant leap for industry, the United States and the decarbonization of the planet – but we have need regulatory certainty to speed up the industry, so it can stand on its own two feet.
“The ever-evolving regulatory oversight of this project, which delayed the final layout, required Wood Thilsted to be extremely flexible and adaptable. We love the challenge, but now we need to stop the everyday unknowns and ever-changing goalposts. This will allow us to fully focus on lowering LCOE (Discounted Energy Cost) for the offshore wind industry through optimized designs that require less steel and less pile penetration â€.
He added; “The lessons we all learn from executing this first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States will help pave the way for what promises to be a very exciting time to come. Regulatory certainty is essential to realize this future â€.
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Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/wind/11062021/wood-thilsted-regulatory-certainty-a-must-for-us-offshore-wind/
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