GROW, a consortium of Dutch offshore wind industry and research partners, and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy have signed a collaboration agreement to strengthen innovation in offshore wind.
"Offshore wind energy is a key technology in the transition of our energy system towards sustainability. This is demonstrated by its dominant position in several energy agreements and reports on the energy transition," said a press release.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy fully supports GROW. “The Dutch offshore wind sector represented in GROW is leading the way.” said Sandor Gaastra, Director General Climate & Energy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. “That is why my ministry signed a collaboration agreement with GROW. With this agreement we will further strengthen the position of offshore wind energy and of the Dutch wind sector.”
GROW is contributing to the energy transition by working on the societal task of making the energy supply more sustainable. It carries out a coherent program of Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D), ranging from more fundamental research to the demonstration or rollout of offshore wind energy innovations.
Research questions within the program include: How can the wind turbine installation process be improved further, at lower costs? How can the environmental impact of noise, for example, be limited or even be prevented? How can maintenance activities be carried out as effectively and efficiently as possible?
Sandor Gaastra said: “Due to the intensive cooperation and knowledge sharing within GROW, with parties representing the entire offshore wind value chain, successful innovations can be realised relatively fast. GROW is therefore an interesting discussion partner for us and we are happy to formalise this cooperation.”
Chairman of GROW Peter Terium said: “To achieve the energy and climate goals, the government, industry, knowledge institutions and civil society organizations must work together even more. That starts with innovation. This agreement helps us to keep up the pace of innovation. "