Pan-European offshore wind industrial alliance launched

A pan-European offshore wind industrial alliance was launched here Wednesday to boost regional cooperation between European Union institutions, member states and the offshore wind industry.

The SEASTAR Alliance, launched at the ongoing biennial event on offshore wind energy organized by the European Wind Energy Association, is formed by such organizations as the Offshore Wind Programme Board of the UK, Stiftung OFFSHORE WINDENERGIE of Germany, Dansk Energi of Denmark, and TKI Wind Op Zee of the Netherlands.

Member organizations of the alliance will bring initiatives from their home states to the European level, using the alliance platform to add value and take cost reduction, knowledge management and grid integration objectives beyond the national boundaries.

Adam Bruce, chairman of the SEASTAR Alliance, said offshore wind will be one of the leading low carbon technologies that will deliver energy security, clean power and economic value to the European Union over the next decade.

The SEASTAR Alliance will start its program of work by introducing initiatives from the UK Offshore Wind Programme Board's Cost Reduction Monitoring Framework, cost reduction programs from Germany and the Netherlands, and grid integration work from Denmark.

"The offshore wind industry has shown that by combining to tackle barriers to deployment and best practice it can reduce costs and accelerate innovation. The SEASTAR Alliance has come together to harness this activity across Europe's Northern Seas," Bruce said. Endit