Global energy giants have joined FOWCoE

ORE Catapult, a famous British offshore renewable energy incubator, revealed that French Total, Royal Dutch Shell and Norwegian energy giant Equinor have successively joined the British Floating Offshore Wind Energy Center of Excellence (FOWCoE) under ORE Catapult.

According to ORE Catapult, FOWCoE focuses on all areas of UK floating wind energy activities and involves four "critical" workflows-including technology development, supply chain and operations, development and licensing, and zero-cost delivery.

The goal of this offshore wind energy group working closely with the British government is to reduce energy costs from floating wind energy, accelerate the construction of floating wind farms, create opportunities for the UK supply chain and promote innovation in manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance.

Jean Luc Gizo, general manager of Total Exploration and Production UK, said in a company statement: "Total’s ambition is to become a responsible energy giant, and we believe that the UK has provided many that will help us achieve Opportunities for goals."

He added: "The UK already has one of the world's most developed offshore wind power markets. Investing in offshore floating wind energy will further this trend, so we are happy to join FOWCoE."

Vincent Fuller, general manager of Shell's floating wind energy department, said: "If we are to provide cleaner electricity from wind energy on a commercial scale, this cooperation is key."

He added: "We look forward to working with our new partners to meet the challenges of accelerating floating technology and learning."

Sebastian Bringsvaerd, head of Norway’s Equinor Floating Wind Energy Development Department, said: “We believe that promoting the innovation of offshore floating wind energy by promoting cooperation across the industry is the best way.”

He added: "More and more energy companies are joining forces to prove the potential of offshore wind energy in the UK and even the world."

According to the ORE Catapult website, ORE Catapult is the UK's leading offshore renewable energy technology innovation and research center. ORE Catapult launched the multi-million dollar FOWCoE project in October last year, "to promote the development of the next generation of offshore wind energy technology."