The Better Solution for wind power infrastructure involves an OFFSHORE GRID of subsea HVDC cables, transporting wind energy from multiple wind farms, pooled at offshore platforms, closer to where it is needed, then connecting to the onshore AC grid at brownfield pre-industrialised sites, which can in turn benefit from regeneration and suit the medium-term development of Energy Hubs. This is the strategy all other leading European wind power countries are following.

With offshore pooling of wind farm energy, offshore subsea transmission of energy closer to demand and onshore connection at brownfield sites, the Great British Offshore Grid is a FASTER, CHEAPER and BETTER solution.

FASTER
Because less than half the onshore infrastructure is required, community buy-in will be swifter, and with more strategic routing offshore, fewer planning permissions will be required, hence a shorter planning cycle. Time IS Money.

CHEAPER
National Grid ESO reports have consistently shown significant overall transmission network cost savings (Capex) from greater offshore coordination sooner, e.g. its December 2020 report showed a c.£2 billion saving for East Anglia alone with greater offshore integration. For Britain as a whole, the same report suggests a saving of c. £6 billion and this would be available if we pivot now to a solution involving an Offshore Grid. Cost savings come from the sharing of infrastructure resulting from the pooling of wind farm energy and also from transporting energy offshore and connecting it to the onshore AC grid closer to demand, saving on curtailment and grid constraint costs.

BETTER
Increased security and flexibility of supply from a meshed offshore HVDC grid, and significantly reduced negative impact on the environment, communities and local economies.