Cerulean Winds plans 3 GW floating wind and hydrogen project in UK

Green infrastructure developer Cerulean Winds plans an integrated 200-turbine floating wind and hydrogen development project in the UK. 

The GBP10 billion (US$14.16 billion) proposed green infrastructure play would have the capacity to abate 20 million tonnes of CO₂ through simultaneous North Sea projects West of Shetland and in the Central North Sea.

The proposed development involves:

• Over 200 of the largest floating turbines at sites West of Shetland and in the Central North Sea with 3GW per hour of capacity, feeding power to the offshore facilities and excess 1.5 GW per hour power to onshore green hydrogen plants.
• Ability to electrify the majority of current UKCS assets as well as future production potential from 2024 to reduce emissions well ahead of abatement targets.
• 100% availability of green power to offshore platforms at a price below current gas turbine generation through a self-sustained scheme with no upfront cost to operators.
• The development of green hydrogen at scale and GBP1 billion (USD1.41 billion) hydrogen export potential.
• No subsidies or CFD requirements and hundreds of millions of pounds to government revenue via leases and taxation through to 2030.

Société Générale, one of the leading European financial services groups is advising Cerulean Winds. Corporate finance advisors to the energy industry Piper Sandler are also advising.

Construction would start soon after with energisation commencing in 2024.  An Infrastructure Project Finance model, commonly used for major capital projects is being adopted.