Offshore Wind Energy
Launch of new heavy-lift cargo drones to support wind industry operations
Drone technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of the wind industry as major renewable industry players are looking at new ways to utilize the technology to support wind projects
Until now, drones have primarily been used within the wind sector to provide additional aid with inspection services.
These advanced technologies have played a key role in capturing detailed imagery, conducting comprehensive blade inspections, exploring internal and external blade areas, and removing the requirement for potentially unsafe confined space inspections. (Find out how drone solutions are used within the GEV Group.)
New industry developments
This month, one of the industry’s major energy companies announced the introduction of heavy-lift cargo drones for the first time in an operational offshore wind campaign. The concept was initially tested last year at a UK offshore wind farm through a series of trials using the new technology.
The drones, which have a wingspan of 2.6 metres, can transport up to 100 kg of cargo and aim to help improve operational efficiency and safety while reducing carbon emissions from operating an offshore wind farm.
Typically, a vessel would sail from one wind turbine to the next, using a crane to lift each box containing the equipment onto the transition piece, after which the box would be lifted with the nacelle’s crane to reach the nacelle and then be moved to the top of the turbine. Instead, the drone will fly back and forth from an offshore supply vessel directly to the top of the nacelle.
The drone flight from the vessel to the turbine takes roughly four minutes per turbine, while the conventional approach without using drones can take considerably longer. Taking vessel transport between the turbines and to-and-from shore into account, the use of the new drones has allowed the team to complete tasks at the wind farm 10 -15 times faster than average.
The drones are said to reduce costs, save time, and improve operational safety and efficiency, minimizing the need for multiple journeys by ship.
The new technology also reduces work disturbance as wind turbines do not have to be shut down when cargo is delivered, preventing risk and making it safer for personnel working on the wind farm.
The announcement of the heavy-lift drones highlights the new innovative ways technology is being utilized to support the wind sector. Companies across the wind industry continue to harness cutting-edge technology to make green energy more affordable, reliable, efficient, and sustainable across the value chain.
What’s in this news?
The European Commission has approved a €5 billion Danish State aid scheme to support offshore wind development. Covering the Hesselø and North Sea I Mid projects, the scheme is expected to play a key role in achieving the EU’s 2030 renewable energy targets and accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy.
The European Commission has approved a €5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish State aid scheme aimed at supporting offshore wind energy deployment.
The measure aligns with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal and is designed to contribute to the EU’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
Two offshore wind projects to be supported
The scheme will support the development of two major offshore wind farms:
- Hesselø Offshore Wind Farm
- Minimum capacity: 0.8 GW
- Expected annual generation: ~3.2 TWh
- North Sea I Mid Offshore Wind Farm
- Minimum capacity: 1 GW
- Expected annual generation: ~4.6 TWh
Combined, these projects are expected to generate electricity equivalent to approximately 25% of Denmark’s annual electricity production.
Two-way CfD mechanism
The support will be granted through a two-way Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism:
- Producers receive payments when market prices fall below the strike price
- Producers pay back when market prices exceed the strike price
This design ensures both investor certainty and proper market functioning.
20-year support period
The scheme will run for 20 years and will be allocated via a competitive bidding process. Support will be based on potential generation capacity rather than actual production.
Supporting EU energy transition
The Commission concluded that the scheme is:
- Necessary and proportionate
- Supportive of the net-zero transition
- Effective in reducing fossil fuel dependency
and compliant with EU State aid rules.
Is Türkiye Ready for Offshore Wind? Industry Perspectives Point to Industrial Potential
Offshore wind energy is becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the global energy transition. As the sector expands across Europe, discussions around Türkiye’s offshore wind potential are also gaining momentum.
Industry representatives speaking during KEY – The Energy Transition Expo 2026 highlighted both the opportunities and the structural challenges facing offshore wind development in Türkiye.
According to DÜRED Chairman Murat Durak, Türkiye already has a significant industrial base that could support offshore wind projects.
A Strong Industrial Ecosystem
Durak pointed out that Turkish shipyards and heavy industry facilities are already capable of manufacturing various offshore structures and components.
Some shipyards are already involved in manufacturing for European offshore projects, indicating that Türkiye could potentially play a role within the broader offshore wind supply chain.
This industrial capacity suggests that Türkiye could position itself not only as a project developer but also as a manufacturing and supply hub for offshore wind equipment.
Port Infrastructure Remains a Critical Requirement
Despite this industrial capacity, Durak noted that one of the key missing elements is dedicated offshore wind port infrastructure.
Offshore wind projects require large-scale logistics operations for transporting turbine components, installing foundations, and maintaining offshore structures.
Developing suitable port infrastructure is therefore considered an important step for enabling large-scale offshore wind projects in Türkiye.
Supply Chain Opportunities
DÜRED Board Member Bilgihan Yaşacan emphasized the importance of the offshore wind supply chain.
According to Yaşacan, offshore wind development creates opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including:
- marine construction
- engineering services
- offshore platforms
- subsea cable installation
- heavy logistics and equipment manufacturing
He stressed that supporting the development of companies capable of operating in offshore environments will be essential for building a sustainable offshore wind ecosystem.
Regional Opportunities
Industry representatives also highlighted that offshore wind opportunities should not be viewed solely within Türkiye’s domestic market.
Potential offshore wind developments in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East could create additional opportunities for Turkish shipyards, engineering firms, and industrial suppliers.
The Mediterranean Could Become a New Offshore Market
While Northern European countries have led offshore wind development for many years, the Mediterranean region is still considered an emerging market.
According to sector representatives, this situation could create new opportunities for countries with strong industrial capabilities such as Türkiye.
If offshore wind projects begin to expand in the Mediterranean basin, Türkiye’s industrial sector could play an important role in supporting regional offshore wind development.
On 14 January 2026, the United Kingdom awarded a total of 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity under Allocation Round 7 (AR7), marking the largest offshore wind auction ever held in Europe.
The awarded capacity includes 8.2 GW of bottom-fixed offshore wind and nearly 200 MW of floating wind projects. The new capacity is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 10 million homes.
Record competition drives competitive pricing
AR7 was one of the most competitive offshore auctions ever held in Europe. A record 19 projects, representing a combined potential capacity of 24 GW, were eligible to bid.
The strong competition resulted in 2024 strike prices of:
£91.20/MWh in England and Wales
£89.49/MWh in Scotland
These levels are approximately 40% lower than the cost of building and operating new gas plants in the UK (£147/MWh) and nearly 30% lower than new nuclear plants (£124/MWh).
The 8.4 GW of new offshore wind capacity is estimated to save UK billpayers nearly £1.7 billion per year compared to gas generation.
CfD framework proves effective
The UK’s two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfD) mechanism once again demonstrated its ability to de-risk projects and provide long-term revenue visibility.
With a total budget of £1.79 billion — exceeding the initial £1.1 billion allocation — the UK Government secured additional capacity to enhance energy security and economic resilience.
Following the failed AR5 round in 2023 and limited new capacity under AR6, AR7 represents a significant turning point for offshore wind deployment in the UK.
AR7 winning projects
AR7 awarded support to six bottom-fixed offshore wind projects and two floating wind projects:
| Project | CfD Capacity (MW) | Owner(s) | Strike Price (2024) | Delivery (Phase 1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awel y Mor | 775 | RWE (60%), Stadtwerke München (30%), Siemens Financial Services (10%) | £91.2/MWh | 2030/31 |
| Dogger Bank South | 3000 | RWE (51%), Masdar (49%) | £91.2/MWh | 2030/31 |
| Norfolk Vanguard East | 1545 | RWE | £91.2/MWh | 2029/30 |
| Norfolk Vanguard West | 1545 | RWE | £91.2/MWh | 2028/29 |
| Berwick Bank | 1380 | SSE Renewables | £89.49/MWh | 2030/31 |
| Pentland (floating) | 92.5 | Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (80%), Eurus Energy (10%), Hexicon (10%) | £216.49/MWh | 2029/30 |
| Erebus (floating) | 100 | TotalEnergies (80%), Simply Blue Energy (20%) | £216.49/MWh | 2029/30 |
The 192 MW awarded to floating wind projects marks another step toward commercial-scale floating wind deployment. Industry stakeholders emphasise the need for tailored support schemes, clear auction timelines for floating wind, and infrastructure investment in ports to sustain momentum.
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