Energy News – Late January 2026
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A new national deepwater wind test site will “address a critical gap in the UK offshore wind sector”, according to its developers.
The European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) in Orkney, Scotland, will start to deliver the DeepWind facility during a new 18-month project, has announced.
Turbine installation in deep waters could allow energy companies to work further from shore, enabling access to stronger and more consistent winds. As UK projects expand into deeper waters, developers require a representative environment to prove, refine and de‑risk technologies – but existing test sites across Europe lack the necessary metocean conditions for upcoming installations, Emec said. To address that gap, the centre has identified a site 20km west of Orkney with “ideal” water depths, seabed conditions and wind speeds.
The £500,000 project will complete the feasibility, design scoping and industry engagement stages to confirm infrastructure requirements. It will also consider logistical and operational needs, to ensure connectivity to ports. Emec will continue environmental scoping and early-stage survey work, including monitoring of birds and mammals.
Sourced from IMECHE
