EDF to expand Blythe offshore windfarm with floating turbines

EDF Renewables has revealed plans to install up to five floating turbines for phase two of its Blyth Offshore Demonstrator windfarm off the coast of Northumberland.

The turbines will be situated 14 kilometres from the shore in water depths of around 55 metres. EDF said it is considering a range of floating foundation technologies.

The first phase of the windfarm was constructed in 2017 and comprises five turbine with a combined capacity of 41.5MW. It was the first windfarm in the UK to utilise “float and submerge” gravity base foundations, which are floated into place before being filled with ballast sand to weigh them down to the seabed.

EDF said the capacity of phase two has yet to be determined but the current consent for the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator covers a maximum of 99.9MW, leaving a further 58.4MW available.

It said a key requirement of the project is to demonstrate new and innovative technologies that have the potential to reduce the cost of offshore wind and that is working with suppliers and research organisations to identify those that may be appropriate, including the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, which operates a test centre at Blyth.

Michele Schiavone, director of offshore wind at EDF Renewables, said: “We are very excited about this next phase of the BOD project and want to further the demonstration of construction and operation of floating turbines to show that floating wind is technically feasible and cost competitive in water depths of 50-60 metres.

“With the Contracts for Difference mechanism providing a potential route to market, we are confident that floating turbine technology can accelerate the UK’s journey to a net zero future where clean energy powers all our lives. We will use the project to support the further development of this emerging technology.”

EDF said the development timescale not been finalised but it is aiming to commission the second phase of the windfarm by Spring 2025.