One of the major challenges facing the offshore renewable energy sector is the speed and extent of deployment needed to meet Net Zero targets, which include deploying 50 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030.

Projects need to undergo pre-development planning, consenting applications and construction which takes several years. The deployment of offshore wind at very high levels could potentially result in a change to the ecosystem and therefore consideration of the environmental impacts is essential. Using autonomous technologies for environmental monitoring could help address the knowledge gaps associated with these impacts.

Accelerating Offshore Wind – The Role of Innovative Technology in Decision Making and Faster Consenting – ORE (catapult.org.uk)