Renewable energy consultancy OWC has wrapped up a comprehensive appraisal and feasibility study for what could pioneer offshore wind zones in the Black Sea, marking a significant stride in Romania's renewable energy ambitions.
The study, commissioned by Romania-based energy company Black Sea Oil & Gas (BSOG), signals a pivotal step towards harnessing the Black Sea's wind potential. OWC, renowned for its support in utility-scale renewable projects, collaborated closely with BSOG to conduct technical-economic assessments crucial for offshore wind ventures.
Alan Smith, delivery director at OWC, emphasized the collaborative effort, stating, “Together with ABL we were able to provide OWC's specialized offshore wind expertise with local market know-how, to provide the most relevant support to the client.”
BSOG CEO Mark Beacom echoed the sentiment, expressing satisfaction in partnering with OWC to explore the vast potential of offshore wind development in the Black Sea. He highlighted the prospect of utilizing existing infrastructure such as the Midia Gas Development (MGD) energy corridor and lands for reception facilities, potentially enabling up to 3GW of development for Romania.
The recent governmental adoption of the Offshore Wind Energy Bill sets the stage for delineating wind energy areas and streamlining concession procedures by early 2025, underscoring Romania's commitment to renewable energy expansion.
The collaboration between OWC and BSOG coincides with broader initiatives outlined in the World Bank's draft findings, projecting a substantial offshore wind capacity of up to 7GW installed in Romania by 2035. This forecast underscores the transformative potential of offshore wind in Romania's energy landscape.
OWC's involvement, as part of the Oslo-listed consultancy group ABL Group ASA, underscores the global expertise and collaborative approach driving Romania's offshore wind ambitions.
“We hope this is just the beginning of Romania's promising future in offshore wind development,” remarked Alan Smith, encapsulating the optimism surrounding Romania's foray into offshore wind energy.
