The Carbon Trust will now be applying the learning from its world leading work on offshore wind to help China meet its national target to grow its offshore wind capacity at the lowest cost from under 0.5GW today to 5GW by 2015 and to 30GW by 2030.
The UK, with over 3GW installed, currently leads the world in offshore wind power development and the Carbon Trust is spearheading a £45m innovation programme to cut the cost of offshore wind by 10% by 2015. Carbon Trust’s expertise in offshore wind innovation and cost reduction is now being taken to China and shared with leading developers, turbine makers, research institutes and government.
The Carbon Trust, in conjunction with Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA) and CECEP Wind Power Corporation, held a workshop in Beijing on 23rd July 2013 as part of a 10-month project. Over 50 offshore wind professionals from across the country attended the workshop, including from government, developers, turbine makers, foundation companies and research institutes. The event was opened by Chairman Shi Dinghuan of China Renewable Energy Society and by John Edwards, Counselor of the British Embassy in Beijing.
The project is being funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Beijing as part of its Prosperity Fund. The FCO launched the Prosperity Fund in April 2011 to tackle climate change, strengthen energy security and promote an open global economy in key emerging economies.
The project, whose target completion date is March 2014, aims to identify collaborative programmes or initiatives that could reduce the cost of offshore wind in China through adoption of existing technology available overseas or by developing new technology within the country.
Stephen Wyatt, Director of Innovation at the Carbon Trust said:
“We are delighted to be working in China on offshore wind. China, like the UK, has a vast offshore wind resource and looks to be well placed to develop it. Like the UK the priority must be to do so at the lowest possible cost and that’s where new innovation can really help.”
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Press release, August 5, 2013; Image: Carbon Trust