The Crown Estate (United Kingdom) has presented plans for the upcoming Round 4 offshore wind leasing scheme, which is set to take place later in 2019. A new tender design requirement will be introduced in order to make sure that applying projects will be awarded across a minimum of three seabed regions to help facilitate greater geographic diversity. Besides, the number of project bids per bidder has been refined: the applying companies will be able to bid for up to five variations of site boundaries, anchored at each of five locations, totalling a maximum of 25 possible site options. Eventually, the lease terms will be increased from the current 50 years to 60 years.
In November 2018, the Crown Estate raised the future offered offshore wind capacity from 6 GW to 7 GW. So far, five regions have been identified on the basis that they are technically feasible, entail sufficiently large amounts of available seabed for offshore wind development and have low levels of development constraint. Another four regions will be taken forward for further consideration, where additional work is required to achieve a significant evidence base. Eventually, nine regions will not be included in Round 4 as they are impacted by significant development constraints (defence ranges and exercise areas, visual sensitivity or overlap with large shipping routes).
The Crown Estate periodically runs new structured leasing and licensing processes for the offshore wind business but does not grant statutory planning consent for site development.
Searching for proven generation costs?
Then CAPEX & LCOE is the database you need. The module provides exclusive insights on both Capital Expenditure and Levelised Cost of Electricity.
Make informed decisions in terms of which technologies to invest in and where. In just a few clicks, access unique, premium data on both thermal and renewable power generation costs by technology and by country. Put our detailed, reliable information to use and benchmark your project.