Crown Estate Attracts Significant Round 3 Interest.

The UKs Crown Estate today announced that it had attracted significant interest from developers in its third offshore wind farm licensing round. Releasing information for the first time since the application submission deadline expired, the organisation said that it had "received multiple bids for each of the nine zones".

The Crown Estate, who are spear-heading the countries drive to develop 25GW of renewable generation by 2020, also revealed that it had:

• Received a total of 40 zone bids from 18 different companies and consortia.
• Attracted international companies from at least nine different countries.
• Received expressed commitment to bids from potential alliance partners and supply chain participants.

Commenting on the bidding round, Energy and Climate Change Minister, Mike O’Brien said:

“It is very encouraging there is so much interest in the latest round of offshore wind development. It is expected the UK will need to generate around 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with the majority coming from wind power. Such an expansion represents a massive long term investment opportunity which has the potential to generate tens of thousands of jobs in the offshore wind sector as well as helping in the fight against climate change."

Whilst the Government has succeeded in making the development process easier through its completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, the CEs Director of the Marine Estate, Rob Hastings admitted that further support may be needed for developers. With regards to the issues surrounding grid connections, consenting processes, supply chain and economic support Mr Hastings added that:

"The Crown Estate is committed to overcoming these key challenges, and we are working closely with Government and other stakeholders to look at the issues surrounding supply chain developments and the economic opportunities within. "

The Crown Estate now intends to assess all applications and draw up a shortlist of companies for each zone. Final selection and zone exclusivity awards will be made in late 2009.