http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/3189/

Its future may – or may not – be in jeopardy, but the UK’s Carbon Trust this week announced that its Offshore wind Accelerator (OWA) aimed at driving down the costs of the technology now counts seven major wind developers as members.

The new members – Mainstream Renewable Power and Statkraft – join DONG Energy, RWE Innogy, Scottish Power Renewables, SSE Renewables and Statoil, together representing over 50% of the offshore wind capacity licensed in UK waters.
The participants have committed investment of nearly £8 million over the next four years to the OWA programme, which aims to drive down the costs of offshore wind by 10% over the next decade.
Offshore wind presents the UK with one of its greatest engineering challenges, says Michael Rea of the Carbon Trust, but a real opportunity for economic growth.
“Working in collaboration with the leading developers is vital to address the key engineering challenges we must conquer,” he says.
The programme is a “very progressive initiative, which will help drive and secure the future of [the] industry”, says Paul Coffey, COO at RWE Innogy.