UK offshore wind sector eyes ‘deepwater’ category for AR8
Published: 19/06/2026
- What: Inclusion of a new “other deepwater offshore wind” (ODOW) technology category in AR8 — a government-backed CfD route to commercialise hybrid seabed-anchored/tendon-stabilised foundations that target the 60–150m depth band.
- Who: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and ORE Catapult driving classification/analysis; technology developers such as Marine Power Systems (MPS) and OSI Renewables involved.
- Impact: Creates a dedicated funding/contracting stream likely to catalyse UK manufacturing and reshoring, while materially affecting leasing/development choices.
Scotland and Wales press Westminster on offshore wind support
Published: 17/06/2026
- What: Scotland and Wales are pressing Westminster for stronger offshore-wind support.
- Who: Scottish energy minister Stephen Gethins; Welsh energy minister Adam Price; UK government/Westminster; NESO (transmission charging); RenewableUK; Crown Estate; Great British Energy.
- Impact: TNUoS regime is skewing project economics; devolving leasing receipts/ScotWind Wealth Fund and a larger CfD floating pot would reallocate leasing revenue and improve investment certainty, materially affecting UK leasing frameworks and incentives to localise manufacturing and port infrastructure.
Offshore wind faces tougher price test in AR8, minister warns
Published: 17/06/2026
- What: UK energy minister Michael Shanks warned at the Global Offshore Wind conference that AR8 will treat price as the “absolute central factor,” signalling tighter cost scrutiny.
- Who: UK government (Energy Minister Michael Shanks and Treasury), RenewableUK/global conference stakeholders.
- Impact: A stronger price focus and potential reduced AR8 budget will squeeze project economics, increase competitive pressure on bids, risk scaling back or delaying UK supply-chain investments.
Top Story
Scotland and Wales press Westminster on offshore wind support
Scotland and Wales are challenging Westminster’s decision on offshore-wind support. The outcome could reshape the UK’s leasing frameworks and incentives, offering a significant boost for the industry’s local manufacturing and port infrastructure.
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