By Barry Macleod, General Manager, Flotation Energy
I’m very much looking forward to joining a panel discussion, on Decarbonisation in Action, at the OEUK Conference 2024 in Aberdeen today – alongside Jenny Stanning from Offshore Energies UK , Odin Estensen from Ithaca Energy, Charlie Youngs from Storegga and Nathan Morgan from Kellas Midstream . It promises to be an insightful discussion.
Our pioneering floating offshore wind project, Green Volt, was awarded a UK Government Contract for Difference just this month, and on the panel I hope to discuss the project’s huge potential for producing clean energy to UK homes, as well as drastically cutting offshore oil and gas platform emissions.
”“On track to become the world's largest commercial floating offshore windfarm, Green Volt will help the oil and gas industry meet its goal of halving emissions by 2030.”
It will achieve this by using the clean electricity produced from the windfarm to electrify oil and gas platforms, in addition to supplying the grid, allowing the full retirement of existing offshore power generators. For the oil and gas platforms we partner with, this will see carbon emissions from electricity use cut by a massive 80% .
We know the offshore energy sector is transitioning to clean power sources, but while this change takes place, oil and gas will still play an important role in our energy mix. OEUK’s analysis demonstrates that oil and gas will provide 50% of our energy needs in the mid-2030s, and this is estimated to fall to 22% by 2050. While we are still using oil and gas, it is crucial we reduce the sector’s emissions as much as possible to help meet our national climate goals. This is why projects like Green Volt are so important.
At the same time, Green Volt is set to create over 2,800 jobs during construction, many of which will be in the North East of Scotland where the project is based, providing a huge boost to the local economy, supply chain and workforce.
Floating offshore wind is a relatively new technology that enables us to harness clean renewable power from the greater wind speeds further from shore. Scotland, with the blustery North Sea on its doorstep, is well on its way to becoming a world leader in floating wind, and I am excited to discuss the huge potential for this technology.
”“Green Volt, in particular, will not only help to decarbonise oil and gas platforms, it will act as a stepping stone for more floating offshore wind projects.”
OEUK events are always ones to mark in the calendar; they provide a fantastic opportunity to catch up with peers in the energy industry, look back at progress made in the sector and align on future plans. It is a huge honour to have been invited to speak at the event alongside such an impressive panel.
If you are attending the OEUK Conference today do reach out to link up. For more information on decarbonisation and OEUK more generally, visit: oeuk.org.uk.
