Microsoft announces definitive agreement to acquire Metaswitch Networks, expanding approach to empower operators and partner with network equipment…

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Today, we are announcing that we have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Metaswitch Networks, a leading provider of virtualized network software and voice, data and communications solutions for operators.

The convergence of cloud and communication networks presents a unique opportunity for Microsoft to serve operators globally via continued investment in Azure, adding additional depth to our hyperscale cloud infrastructure with the specialized software required to run virtualized communication functions, applications and networks.

This announcement builds on our recent acquisition of Affirmed Networks, which closed on April 23, 2020. Metaswitchs complementary portfolio of ultra-high-performance, cloud-native communications software will expand our range of offerings available for the telecommunications industry. Microsoft intends to leverage the talent and technology of these two organizations, extending the Azure platform to both deploy and grow these capabilities at scale in a way that is secure, efficient and creates a sustainable ecosystem.

As the industry moves to 5G, operators will have opportunities to advance the virtualization of their core networks and move forward on a path to an increasingly cloud-native future. Microsoft will continue to meet customers where they are, working together with the industry as operators and network equipment providers evolve their own operations.

We will continue to support hybrid and multi-cloud models to create a more diverse telecom ecosystem and spur faster innovation, an expanded set of unique offerings and greater opportunities for differentiation. We will continue to partner with existing suppliers, emerging innovators and network equipment partners to share roadmaps and explore expanded opportunities to work together, including in the areas of radio access networks (RAN), next-generation core, virtualized services, orchestration and operations support system/business support system (OSS/BSS) modernization. A future that is interoperable has never been more important to ensure the success of customers and partners.

By enabling advancements in enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low latency communications and massive machine-type communication to enable IoT at scale, 5G offers significant potential for enterprises and governments and in turn creates new opportunities for operators. 5G will ultimately give operators a path to accelerate service innovation and deliver new transformative experiences that are faster, more resilient and more secure, spurred on by software advances to drive transformation at scale.

We have a long history of working with operators as they increasingly embrace software-based solutions and continue to support the advancement of cloud-based networking while helping create new partnership opportunities for existing network equipment providers. Our intention over time is to create modern alternatives to network infrastructure, enabling operators to deliver existing and value-added services with greater cost efficiency and lower capital investment than theyve faced in the past.

Tags: 5G, Azure, communications

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Privacy And Information Are The New Cloud Currency And Google Owns The Mint – Forbes

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The US Mint in Denver, CO.

Over the past few months, most public cloud providers and their counterparts have doubled down on security. Recently, Google pushed multiple new security enhancements to augment its already secure ecosystem. The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has come a long way in assuaging privacy and security concerns. However, the kicker with GGP remainsyou must be within the Google ecosystem. If not, you are on your own (which is not always a bad thing). One of the most exciting components of Google's strategy is its stance that security starts from the chip level and ends up with the Chrome browser. Google's approach is divergent from what many public cloud providers offer as point solutions in a sea of security diversity and methods. What Google lacks in its IoT and endpoint security in a distributed environment, it makes up for with a centralized cloud infrastructure that has tremendous capabilities.

One of Googles key criticisms is how it upholds the privacy of its users, both enterprise and consumer. GCP has done an excellent job of alleviating many of its privacy challenges and concerns. In a recent conversation I had with the Google team, they demonstrated their commitment to providing secure enterprise solutions and applications while protecting the privacy of their users. I was especially impressed with their focus on not just a single-point solution, but an ecosystem that encompasses a chip to browser security approach. Although many users are suspicious of Google's approach, it is one of the most secure ecosystems (not to mention the functionality of applications) in the industry today.

Cloud-based surveillance and information is the new business model

For the past 30+ years, we have trusted companies to make our lives more productive while they use our data to learn about what we want as consumers. Now, Google, Facebook, Amazon and others are using data and algorithms to predict what we as consumers think we desire. From a security perspective, it is essential to understand how these companies are using our personal information. The bottom line is these companies are in the surveillance business. If Facebook or Twitter were a CIA or NSA project, it would be the most successful intelligence operation in history. How else would you get unwitting people to input who their friends are, their political leanings, which religion they belong to, where they work, and what they do in their spare time?

Further, most users allow these organizations to track and provide data to external businesses and organizations that want to buy information from our computers, cellphones and other devices solely for the price of convenience. In my last article, I mentioned that we believe over 5,000 companies have access to your information just by turning on your smartphone. Sadly, we, as a society, are happy to sacrifice convenience and information at the cost of security and privacy.

On the flip side, control of information versus the "common good"

Unfortunately, and in my opinion, one of the byproducts of our willingness to sacrifice privacy for security is allowing social media companies to influence the narrative. The current COVID-19 pandemic has showed us what lengths these companies will go to control speech and dissent, all for the "common good" or whoever sets the narrative du jour. The amount of information we provide to these companies should be tantamount to our ability to express our viewpoints and opinions. Sadly, most social media platforms disagree. However, Google has quietly been focusing on putting a platform that provides functionality, security, privacy and an ecosystem back into the hands of the consumer. I am okay with the balance Google strikes from a privacy and functionality perspectiveit just works, but its up to the user to understand the tradeoffs. Stay safe and secure my friends.

Disclosure:Moor Insights & Strategy, like all research and analyst firms, provides or has provided research, analysis, advising and/or consulting to many high-tech companies in the industry. The author does not have any investment positions in the companies named in this article.

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Privacy And Information Are The New Cloud Currency And Google Owns The Mint - Forbes

Impact of COVID-19 on the World’s Cybersecurity Industry, Major Verticals, Regions and Key Vendors (2019-2021): Optimistic/as-is/Pessimistic Scenarios…

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Dublin, May 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Covid-19 Impact On Cybersecurity Market by Technology (Network Security, Application Security, Endpoint Security, Cloud Security, Database Security, Web Security, ICS Security), Vertical, Region - Global Forecast to 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Cybersecurity Market is Expected to Grow from USD 183.2 Billion in 2019 to USD 230 Billion by 2021, Rising at a CAGR of 12% (COVID-19 Adjusted)

This market study covers the impact of COVID-19 on the cybersecurity market across different segments. It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential of this market across by technology segments (network security, application security, endpoint security, cloud security, database security, web security, and ICS security) and vertical (banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, IT/ITeS, telecom, utilities, and public sector), and region. The study also includes an in-depth analysis of the key market players, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.

Key market players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships and new service launches, to expand their presence further in the impact of COVID-19 on the cybersecurity market and broaden their customer base.

Increase in realization for endpoint and VPN security measures drives the cybersecurity market during the COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19 crisis has transformed the thought process of a company's management and board toward cybersecurity. Especially, SMBs, startups, and large enterprises, except technology giants, were considering cybersecurity budgets as unavoidable Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) due to regulatory and compliance measures. Several digital agencies are yet to have a cybersecurity policy in place. This crisis has exposed companies to scenarios where their IPs are at the mercy and conduct of their employees, working remotely either on office laptops with zero firewall protection or personal laptops with/without free antivirus packages.

Endpoint security segment to show the highest growth rate during the forecast period in the cybersecurity market

Endpoint security solutions are a combination of both Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions. Together these solutions secure endpoints and remote devices used in organizations from viruses, Trojans, and malware, as well as advanced threats, such as zero-day malware and advanced persistent threats. EDR solutions enable continuous detection of and response to advanced cybersecurity threats and considerably improve threat detection, security monitoring, and incident response proficiencies for enterprises across verticals.

Healthcare segment to record higher investment and growth in 2020

COVID-19 poses an occupational health risk to healthcare workers, where COVID-19 has infected thousands of healthcare workers worldwide. Hence, preventing intra-hospital transmission of this communicable disease is a key priority for healthcare institutions and administrative bodies. As the remote and teleworking modes are adopted in the healthcare industry, the possibility of using personal devices and the home internet connections that do not have the enterprise-grade security would result in remote users vulnerable to malicious cyberattacks. In February 2020, WHO warned of fraudulent emails that have been sent by criminals posing as WHO. Cybercriminals have also been impersonating the US CDC by creating domain names similar to the CDC's web address to request passwords and even Bitcoin donations to fund a fake vaccine.

North America to record the largest market share in the global cybersecurity market impacted by COVID-19 crisis

North America is expected to hold the largest share in the global cybersecurity industry, while Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth rate in APAC can be attributed to organizations in the region, grabbing opportunities to go beyond ensuring their regulations and compliances, and applying technology to curtail threats on enterprise devices. Additionally, the region has the highest adoption of mobile devices and connected devices that are highly vulnerable to endpoint attacks.

North America is the most significant revenue contributor to the cybersecurity market. The region is witnessing significant developments, especially in the endpoint security segment. In North America, the high penetration of this technology can be attributed to the increasing use of the automation and behavioral analysis for threat detection, growing amount of data across verticals, and rising investments by companies in real-time security solutions.

Key Topics Covered

1 Introduction1.1 Covid-19 Health Assessment1.2 Covid-19 Economic Assessment1.2.1 Covid-19 Impact on the Economy-Scenario Assessment

2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Scope2.1.1 Objectives of the Study2.1.2 Market Definition2.1.3 Inclusion/Exclusion2.2 Assumptions2.3 Data Triangulation2.3.1 Primary Breakdown2.4 Stakeholders

3 Executive Summary

4 Impact on the Ecosystem and Extended Ecosystem4.1 Cybersecurity Ecosystem Analysis, By Stakeholder4.1.1 Technology Provider4.1.2 Solution Designer and Developer/Consultant4.1.3 System Integrator4.1.4 Reseller4.1.5 Managed Service Provider4.2 Covid-19 Pandemic-Driven Market Dynamics and Factor Analysis4.2.1 Drivers and Opportunities4.2.2 Restraints and Challenges4.2.3 Cumulative Growth Analysis

5 Business Implications of Covid-19 on the Cybersecurity Market5.1 Implication On Technology Segments (Pessimistic, as-is, and Optimistic Scenarios)5.1.1 Network Security Forecast (2019-2021)5.1.1.1 Forecast 2019-2021 (Optimistic/as-is/Pessimistic)5.1.2 Application Security Forecast (2019-2021)5.1.3 Endpoint Security Forecast (2019-2021)5.1.4 Cloud Security Forecast (2019-2021)5.1.5 Database Security Forecast (2019-2021)5.1.6 Web Security Forecast (2019-2021)5.1.7 Industrial Control Systems Security Forecast (2019-2021)

6 Covid-19 Impact on Major Verticals With Use Cases and How Clients are Responding to Current Situation6.1 Banking, Financial Services and Insurance6.1.1 Forecast 2019-2021 (Optimistic/as-is/Pessimistic)6.1.2 Key Use Cases6.1.3 Author's Viewpoint (Vertical's Response to Covid-19)6.2 Healthcare6.3 Manufacturing6.4 Information Technology/Information Technology-Enabled Services6.5 Telecom6.6 Utilities6.7 Public Sector6.8 Others

7 Covid-19 Impact on Regions7.1 Introduction7.2 North America7.2.1 Forecast 2019-2021 (Optimistic/as-is/Pessimistic)7.3 Europe7.4 Asia Pacific7.5 Middle East and Africa7.6 Latin America

8 Covid-19 Focused Profiles of Key Vendors8.1 Introduction8.2 Company Profiles8.2.1 Network Security8.2.2 Application Security8.2.3 Endpoint Security8.2.4 Cloud Security8.2.5 Database Security8.2.6 Web Security8.2.7 ICS Security

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2s6sy1

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the World's Cybersecurity Industry, Major Verticals, Regions and Key Vendors (2019-2021): Optimistic/as-is/Pessimistic Scenarios...

Is Ethereum 2.0 really the next big wave in the crypto-ecosystem? – AMBCrypto

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Ethereum, the second-largest crypto in the world, has seen significant growth over the years, in terms of both upgrades and the coins performance on the whole. In fact, the Ethereum Alliance in 2017 had also promised to drive the use of Ethereum blockchain technology as an open-standard to empower all enterprises. Its been three years now, but has the alliance lived up to its hype? Joseph Lubin, the founder of ConsenSys, believes it has.

At the recent Ethereal Summit, Lubin was of the opinion that the alliance has had an impact on the ecosystem, living up to all the hype and claims. He stated,

It is hard to notice that from the outside. But from the inside, there is an amazing amount of high-value activity. The alliances major mission was o find the specifications. What to build around them and that has been valuable to make ETH so much accessible.

At the moment, the ETH2 upgrade is the center of attraction. The ETH community and the entire ecosystem has been waiting for this upgrade. But, is ETH2 really the big next big wave in the ETH ecosystem?

By the looks of it, ETH2 does look like the next big thing that can happen to the ecosystem. The shift from PoW to PoS is a much-required step considering the fact that ETH prioritizes security and reducing the wastage of energy [mining]. Most importantly, this upgrade is a boon to not just users, but also developers, according to Lubin. He added,

For developers, it is going to feel like an operating system upgrade, and it is an organic transition to more capabilities. We are going to solve problems and come up with new features.

Decentralized Finance [DeFi] is another big sector thats growing leaps and bounds at the moment. Built on Ethereum, the fact that the DeFi market saw strong recovery post the March market crash proves it to be a promising sector. With this, DeFi has started to move from being a niche market to mainstream finance. Further commenting on this rapid growth, Lubin noted,

All of this will lead to much more granular governance in the world and we are going to be able to create our own token in different projects. I think that it is going to be an empowering future where people and small organizations have more economical agency.

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Is Ethereum 2.0 really the next big wave in the crypto-ecosystem? - AMBCrypto

Article Posthuman cyborg love? The adaptation of the human body into machine-based offers in the sexual domain submitted, ..to be published…

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I have just submitted my article Posthuman cyborg love? The adaptation of the human body into machine-based offers in the sexual domain which is going to be published (in German:Posthumane Cyborgliebe? Die Anpassung des menschlichen Krpers an maschinelle Angebote im sexuellen Bereich) in: Bendel, Oliver (ed.): Maschinenliebe. Liebespuppen und Sexroboter aus technischer, psychologischer und philosophischer Perspektive. Springer Verlag.

Posthuman cyborg love? The adaptation of the human body into machine-based offers in the sexual domain (Melike ahinol)Abstract

In this article, human-machine relationship of the specific kind, namely that of cyborg love/sex, is discussed from a sociological perspective. The main focus is to show how the human body adapts into machine-based offers in the sexual domain. The focus is on technically mediated and transmitted practice of love with teledildonic machines. Therefore, the questions are relevant whether the respective adaptation is a symbiotic relationship between human and machine and whether or when the relationship can be called cyborg love. For even if this still seems futuristic, the wide range and further development of love- or sexuality-related offers reveals posthumanist tendencies that seem to pull the ground away from the romantic love on which the concept of the nuclear family as the central institution of society is built. In the posthuman age, love, according to the main argument, does not represent a mere social relationship, but a socio-technical one especially when it is a matter of love for and with machines.

Already looking forward to the anthology Machine Love edited by Oliver Bendel!

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Lithuania eyes 700MW offshore wind zone that could meet 25% of its power needs – Recharge

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Lithuanias energy ministry has submitted a government decree for public consultation on the location of a 700MW wind array off its coast that could provide up to a quarter of the small Baltic nations electricity needs.

The zone foreseen covers an area of 137.5 square kilometres, and is located some 29km from shore, with average water depths of 35 metres, and wind speeds seen at about 9 m/s, the energy ministry said in a release.

Fierce competition will begin for investment in this area, and we need to be as well prepared as possible for this, energy minister ygimantas Vaiinas said.

A final decision on the location of the offshore wind farm is expected to be taken at the beginning of June, Rytis Kvelaitis, vice minister for energy told Recharge.

It is expected that the final decision by the Cabinet of Ministers will be taken at the beginning of June.

The government also plans to prepare legislation regulating a support scheme for offshore wind, which it wants to coordinate with the European Commission before 1 June.

First offshore wind auctions are planned to be announced in 2023, while the offshore wind project is slated to start operations by 2030, when Lithuania targets to have a renewable power share of 45%.

The ministry has proposed to commission transmission grid operator Litgrid with the preparatory work for the grid link to the future offshore wind farm.

The decree implements first recommendations of a public-private offshore wind task force, which started operations in February.

The task force had been asked to provide recommendations on possible stages of offshore wind development, models of grid connection, the allocation of responsibilities and connection costs, the selection of offshore arrays, the research required, possible support options and the regulation of offshore permits.

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Lithuania eyes 700MW offshore wind zone that could meet 25% of its power needs - Recharge

Department of Interior issues new offshore air quality regulations – Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

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Offshore staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have issued a final rule to update air quality regulations for applicable BOEM activities in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaskas North Slope Borough.

The new rule does not relax any standards for regulating air quality, uses the best available science and makes important technical and compliance-related updates to bring the regulation into this century, the department said.

The departments jurisdiction is limited to activities authorized under the OCS Lands Act in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico and offshore the North Slope Borough of Alaska. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has air quality jurisdiction over all other parts of the OCS. It is also limited to regulating offshore emissions of criteria and their precursor pollutants to the extent they significantly affect the air quality of any state. With this clear mandate, the final rule operates within these parameters to improve air quality.

The final rule provides a commonsense approach to ensure BOEMs Air Quality Regulatory Program remains in compliance with the OCS Lands Act requirements by ensuring that the bureau uses up-to-date air quality standards (i.e., National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)) and benchmarks consistent with those already established by the EPA.

Pursuant to Executive Order 13795 signed by President Trump and Secretarys Order 3350, BOEM reviewed its 2016 Proposed Rule on Air Quality Control, Reporting, and Compliance. As a result of this review and analysis of comments received on the proposed rule, BOEMs final rule adopts the following changes:

Compliance with NAAQS. As was the case with the proposed rule, this final rule adds a definition of the NAAQS. It also clarifies that the departments reporting and compliance requirements apply to the emissions of all pollutants on the OCS for which a national ambient air quality standard has been defined.

Updating significance levels (SLs). The final rule replaces the table of SLs in BOEMs existing regulations dating back to 1980 with a revised table, which is based on values set forth in EPAs regulations (40 CFR 165.51(b)(2)). BOEM will continue to update the table of SLs as appropriate, which will save operators from having to search for the SLs in EPAs regulations.

New requirements for PM2.5 and PM10. This final rule replaces the former criteria air pollutant total suspended particulates (TSP) modeling requirements with new modeling requirements for the criteria pollutants particulate matter 10 (PM10) and particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). BOEM is also updating its forms to enable lessees and operators to identify, report, and evaluate PM2.5 and PM10 pollution in the air quality spreadsheets that they submit in connection with their exploration or development plans.

Emissions exemption thresholds. The final rule also updates existing regulations that refer to emissions exemption thresholds to clarify that these formulas apply equally to development and production plans (DPPs) and development operations coordination documents (DOCDs). This update will not lead to a change in practice because BOEM has always applied its existing regulations on air quality to both DPPs and DOCDs.

Clarifying terminology. The final rule updates various terminology to better clarify the intent of the regulations. For example, the final rule replaces the term air pollutant with the term criteria air pollutant. Under the OCS Lands Act, BOEM regulates the emissions of criteria air pollutants, since those represent pollutants for which the EPA has defined a NAAQS. BOEM regulates only those emissions that could affect the bureaus obligation to ensure compliance of state air quality with the NAAQS, so using the term air pollutant was not appropriate.

Air quality spreadsheets. With the implementation of the new air quality rule, BOEM is also updating the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved air quality spreadsheets, BOEM-0138 (for exploration plans) and BOEM-0139 (for DOCDs, and DPPs). The lessee or its designated operator must use these forms for proposed operations in areas of BOEM air quality regulatory jurisdiction. Concurrent with these changes, BOEM is phasing out its previous practice of including the emissions from transiting support vessels in the EET calculations, consistent with the bureaus statutory mandates. Air quality modeling will henceforth only be required in situations when a regulated facility, exclusive of support vessels, exceeds the relevant EET.

05/14/2020

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Department of Interior issues new offshore air quality regulations - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

Offshore wind boosts Northland income – reNEWS

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Northland Power operating income and adjusted earnings from offshore wind jumped 55% and 63%, respectively, in the first three months of 2020, compared with last year, boosted by output from the Deutsche Bucht project and higher sales.

Operating income in the first quarter of 2020 was $321m, an increase of $113m on last year, while adjusted EBITDA was $304m rising $117m on Q1 2019.

Offshore wind sales increased by 43% or $135m to $445m, driven by higher electricity production which rose 54% or 558 gigawatt-hours (GWh) compared with the first three months of 2019.

The increase was primarily due to pre-completion production from Deutsche Bucht (pictured) and higher wind resources in the North Sea.

This was partially offset by more periods of unpaid curtailment due to negative pricing at Nordsee One and Deutsche Bucht.

Northland said its share of the loss on sales from the average wholesale market price falling was 7m ($10m) or 7%.

The loss on sales from unpaid curtailments was 5m or 7% of Northlands share of revenues of Nordsee One and 5m or 8% of its revenues from Deutsche Bucht.

At Northland's onshore renewable assets electricity production decreased 13% or 57GWh compared with the same quarter of 2019.

The fall was primarily the result of lower solar and wind resource across the facilities, the company said.

Onshore sales were $53m, a 9% decrease or $5m lower than 2019.

Northland said production variances at the solar facilities have a larger effect on sales than the wind facilities since solar projects receive a higher contracted price per MW.

Operating income and adjusted EBITDA of $24m and $34m, respectively, decreased 11% or $3m and 10% or $4m primarily due to lower production.

Overall, the company's operating income stood at almost $395m in the first quarter, up from about $288m last year.

Adjusted EBITDA rose to nearly $421m in the first three months of the year, 59% up on the $264m posted in the same period of 2019.

Northland said its operating facilities are deemed to be essential infrastructure and, as such, operations have continued uninterrupted to date because of Covid-19.

However, the company said the impact of Covid-19 will have material effects across global economies and sectors, including reduced power demand within the renewable energy sector.

While the vast majority of Northlands revenues are contracted under long-term agreements with creditworthy counterparties, there is some, yet limited, exposure to the wholesale market price of electricity at the offshore wind facilities, it said.

If low wholesale market prices persist for an extended period, Northlands revenues may be negatively affected, the company added.

Northland president and chief executive Mike Crawley said: Our financial and operating performance during the first quarter was solid, however, our highest priority to date has been to ensure the health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities across our global operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

As outlined in our 30 March update, Northland provides an essential service, and our efforts are focused on ensuring our facilities continue to operate at high levels of availability.

The strength of our balance sheet and stable cash flow profile, which are underpinned by long-term revenue contracts, position the company well to weather the current environment.

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Offshore wind boosts Northland income - reNEWS

Offshore vs land-based solar – pv magazine International

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A simulation by Utrecht University researchers indicated North Sea PV projects may perform better than a ground-mounted solar generator in the Netherlands. Offshore installations could generate 12.96% more power per year, according to the findings of the study, with the sea acting as a cooling system.

Scientists from the Copernicus Institute at Utrecht University in the Netherlands have claimed offshore PV plants could be more productive than ground-mounted arrays after running a simulation comparing a North Sea project to a conventional system at the Utrecht Photovoltaic Outdoor Test field.

Simulation measurements accounted for average ambient and water surface temperatures and the effect of waves over a year. The model included seawater functioning as a natural cooling system as well as wind speed and relative humidity and the researchers observed big swings in ambient air temperatures during the year that was simulated contrasted with gradual changes in water temperature.

[The] minimum air temperature at [the] land-based PV installation is 1.1 degrees Celsius, which is roughly 4 degrees Celsius higher than the minimum temperature at the floating PV location, stated the Utrecht team. Similarly, the maximum air temperature is higher at the land-based PV location. The minimum and maximum sea surface temperature are 1.8 degrees Celsius and 16.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Temperatures

The temperature at sea was much lower at the floating installation due to higher relative humidity and wind speeds, the researchers observed.

Sea surface temperature, the scientists noted, was close to the PV system equilibrium level.

Both simulated projects comprised 12 solar panels for generation capacities of 3.72 kW. The floating project modeled was placed on a steel pontoon fixed by four wire ropes to four buoys. The wire ropes limit the degree of freedom for the pontoon, in this way dealing with impact from sea waves, said the Utrecht group.

For the floating system model, the estimate of the total amount of solar irradiation to hit panels with a defined tilt angle the global tilted irradiance (GTI) figure was based on a tilt angle affected by sea waves. Both simulated installations were based on use of a SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 solar charge controller manufactured by Victron Energy.

Yield

Under simulation, the ground-mounted array generated 1,192 kWh annually, per kilowatt installed. The floating system was 12.96% more productive, with 1,346 kWh, according to the model. The researchers also noted global horizontal irradiance (GHI) the total irradiance received on a horizontal surface was 8.54% higher for the floating system.

Although the wind speed simultaneously changes the tilt angle and, as a result, the panels are not always positioned at the optimum angle, the existence of water around the pontoon is a big advantage for improving the efficiency, as the panel temperature is lower and more constant as well, the researchers stated.

The simulation did not compare the installation costs of the systems or the levelized cost of energy for the solar electricity they would generate.

Paper

The findings of the simulation were presented in the paper Simulation of performance differences between offshore and landbased photovoltaic systems, published in Progress in Photovoltaics.

The Oceans of Energy company spun out of the Delft University of Technology, in the Netherlands, operates a pilot 8.5 kW offshore solar project in the North Sea which is set to be expanded to 50 kW for a year-long testing phase. The plan is to subsequently expand the site to 1 MW and, eventually, 100 MW.

A Belgian consortium including the Tractebel engineering subsidiary of French energy company Engie, is working on another offshore solar project in the North Sea. The group, which also includes Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering NV; solar installer Soltech NV; and Ghent University, is planning to install the 2 million array near an aquaculture farm and offshore wind project.

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Offshore vs land-based solar - pv magazine International

Hornbeck Offshore Announces Launch Of Solicitation Of Votes On Comprehensive Prepackaged Restructuring Transaction With The Support Of The Requisite…

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COVINGTON,La., May 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (OTCQB:HOSS) (the "Company") announced today that it has launched a solicitation of votes from its lenders and unsecured noteholders in support of a prepackaged chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the "Plan"). As previously announced, pursuant to a restructuring support agreement, the Company has the support of secured lenders holding approximately 83% of the Company's aggregate secured indebtedness and unsecured noteholders holding approximately 79% of the Company's aggregate unsecured notes outstanding for the Plan. The Company intends to commence a voluntary prepackaged chapter 11 filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (the "Court") within the coming days, and to seek a hearing on June 19, 2020 for confirmation of the Plan following the conclusion of the solicitation period.

As previously reported, the Company will have access to a $75 million debtor-in-possession term loan facility provided by existing creditors and permitted use of existing cash on hand and cash generated from operations to support the business during the financial restructuring process, which will enable the Company to operate in the ordinary course of business without disruption to its customers, vendors and workforce. The Plan provides for payment in full of all vendors and employees.

The Plan and related disclosure statement are available at http://cases.stretto.com/Hornbeck. Upon the chapter 11 filing, more information about the Company's restructuring, including access to Court documents, will be available at http://cases.stretto.com/hornbeck. For further information regarding the restructuring, please contact the Company's solicitation agent, Stretto, at 1-(855)-258-1004 (toll-free domestic), or email them at [emailprotected].

Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Winstead PC and Jackson Walker LLP are serving as legal counsel to the Company, Guggenheim Securities, LLC is acting as financial advisor, Portage Point Partners, LLC is serving as restructuring advisor and Stretto is serving as claims and noticing agent.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore service vessels primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and Latin America.

Forward-Looking Statements

In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions that statements in this communication which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about improving the Company's capital structure, the Company's ability to effect its restructuring Plan as expected, or at all, and strengthening of the Company's balance sheet. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: negotiations with third parties; regulatory and other approvals; adverse changes in the markets in which the Company operates or credit or capital markets; and actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of the Company. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see each of the Company's annual and quarterly filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. This communication reflects the views of the Company's management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Contacts:

Todd Hornbeck, CEO

Jim Harp, CFO

Hornbeck Offshore Services

985-727-6802

Ken Dennard, Managing Partner

Dennard Lascar / 713-529-6600

SOURCE Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com

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Hornbeck Offshore Announces Launch Of Solicitation Of Votes On Comprehensive Prepackaged Restructuring Transaction With The Support Of The Requisite...

Offshore Wind Power Market to Exhibit 19.2% CAGR till 2026; Increasing Availability of Advanced Technology and Turnkey Solutions to Add Impetus to…

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Pune, May 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global offshore wind power market size is prophesied to gain impetus from the increasing availability of advanced technology and turnkey solution offered by different service providers. Offshore wind power has a prominent role to play in gaining renewable energy targets in most nations of the world. A recently published report by Fortune Business Insights titled, Offshore Wind Power Market Size, Share and Industry Analysis By Installation (Fixed Structure, Floating Structure), By Water Depth (Up to 30m, Above 30m), By Capacity (Up to 3MW, 3MW to 5MW, Above 5MW) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026, predicts the market size to increase its installed capacity from more than 23GW in 2018 to reach 94GW by 2026, rising at a CAGR of 19.2% between 2019 to 2026.

What is the Scope of the Report?

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An Overview of the Impact of COVID-19 on this Market:

The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic.

We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future.

Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Market.

Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/offshore-wind-power-market-100148

Drivers & Restraints-

Stringent Regulations Imposed on Carbon Emissions by Government will Bode Well for Market

The increasing demand for energy stands as a major offshore wind power market growth driver. Besides this, the rise in the adoption of renewable energy and its increasing adoption in power generation mix is likely to add impetus to the market. In addition to this, governments of various nations all around the world are imposing stringent regulations on carbon emission and are promoting the use of green energy and green technology to reduce carbon footprint. This is further expected to aid in the expansion of the market in the coming years.

On the contrary, heavy investment and maintenance costs of installing offshore wind power systems may pose a major hindrance to the market in the coming years. Nevertheless, the increasing focus on water conservation and discontinuation of nuclear and coal using practices are likely to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market in the coming years.

Segment-

Above 30m Segment to Witness Substantial Growth Owing to Current Trend of Floating Offshore Wind Power Projects

Based on water depth, the market is bifurcated into up to 30m and above 30m. Among these, the up to 30m segment holds a majority of the share since installing wind towers is easier in shallow waters and deducts the overall capital expenditure. However, the forecast period may witness the significant growth of the above 30 m segment which is expected to rise to 50% from 30% earned in 2018. This is on account of the rise in investments on floating offshore wind power projects that requires installation in deep waters.

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Regional Analysis-

Increasing Number of Under-construction Projects Undertaken by China will Help Dominate Future Market

The market is widely segmented on the basis of nations, further attributed to their geographical placement and the speed of the wind. Currently, the United Kingdom is holding a majority of the offshore wind power market share, grappled by Germany and China. China is likely to overpower this dominance in the forecast period with the U.K., Germany, France, and Spain at a close competition. In 2018, an estimate of about 40% of the worlds offshore wind power was installed in China, thereby increasing its power generating capacity. This, coupled with the multiple numbers of under-construction projects that China has recently taken up is expected to help this nation emerge dominant during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape-

Key Players Invest in New Offshore Farms for Multiplying Productivity

Vendors operating in this market are engaged in the installation of new offshore wind farms and are investing heavily in gaining momentum in the market. Besides this, they are also engaging in collaborative efforts such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, contracts and agreements, and partnerships to expand their geographical presence in the market.

Some of the key Industry Developments of the Offshore Wind Power Market are listed below:

March 2019 Renexia and Senvion S.A. entered into a joint venture for the installation of 30 MW offshore wind farms in the Italian Mediterranean Sea.

July 2019 The setting up of a zero-subsidy offshore wind farm with a total capacity of 760 MW was bagged by Vattenfall. This offshore farm consists of farms with a rated capacity of 10MW offered by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

Fortune Business Insights lists out the names of some prominent companies in this market. This includes:

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Detailed Table of Content

TOC Continued..!!!

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Have a Look at Related Research Insights:

Floating Wind Power Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Water Depth (Shallow Water {< 30m}, Transitional Water {30m-60m}, Deep Water {>60m}), By Capacity (Up to 3 MW, 3 MW to 5 MW, Above 5MW) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

Wind turbine blade Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Carbon Fiber, Glass Fiber, Others), By Blade Size (Up to 27 Meter, 28-37 Meter, 38-50 Meter, Above 50 Meter), By Application (Onshore, Offshore) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

Wind Turbine Foundation Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Monopile, Jacket Pile, Gravity, Suction, Tripod, Raft, Others), By Application (Onshore, Offshore) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

About Us:

Fortune Business Insightsoffers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data.

At Fortune Business Insights, we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We therefore offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges.

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Offshore Wind Power Market to Exhibit 19.2% CAGR till 2026; Increasing Availability of Advanced Technology and Turnkey Solutions to Add Impetus to...

Port of Esbjerg Getting EUR 134 Million Investment for Offshore Wind Facilities – Offshore WIND

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Nordic infrastructure fund Infranode is preparing an investment of up to DKK 1 billion (circa EUR 134 million) for new infrastructure facilities at the Danish port of Esbjerg which will be used for the offshore wind industry.

The investment will go into port facilities for storage, preassembly and manufacturing of components for offshore wind turbines.

This investment is part of our strategy of being a long-term partner to the public sector in the green transition currently unfolding in Denmark and throughout the Nordic region, and we look forward to investing in more Danish infrastructure projects, said Joel Lfroth, who is in charge of Infranodes activities in Denmark.

According to the port of Esbjerg, investment will be made available gradually and are expected to create as many as 2,000 new jobs.

We have a really strong platform in Esbjerg and in all of Denmark in terms of the green energy potential. The physical settings are in place at the port of Esbjerg, and this agreement will set the base for the necessary financial capabilities for unlocking the huge potential so we can establish the necessary production capacity, said Port Esbjerg CEO Dennis Jul Pedersen.

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Port of Esbjerg Getting EUR 134 Million Investment for Offshore Wind Facilities - Offshore WIND

Shedding new light on China’s offshore aquaculture industry – The Fish Site

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China produces around 60 percent of the worlds aquaculture output, but precise data relating to this figure is notoriously difficult to source. Moreover, as the authors of a new study note, rapid development of the countrys marine aquaculture industry has introduced serious ecological and environmental problems to the coastal zone in the effort to meet a growing demand for seafood consumption.

Therefore, the marine fishery management department urgently needs to properly control and manage the culture mode and structure along with the aquaculture capacity of the coastal zone to ensure orderly development of the aquaculture industry while strengthening the environmental protection of marine resources, they add.

However, as the researchers note, accurate and comprehensive information on the type and location of aquaculture areas is essential for anyone wishing to address these issues. And, in order to obtain this information, the researchers launched the study, which they claim is the first large-scale extraction of marine aquaculture research that has taken place in China to date.

In this study, we used remote sensing statistical monitoring methods to extract statistics showing the extent of raft aquaculture and cage aquaculture in China's offshore waters, filling in the blanks in Chinas offshore aquaculture distribution statistics, they explain.

To achieve this they took Landsat 8 remote sensing images and used a combination of an unsupervised classification algorithm and artificial review to extract areas for Chinese offshore raft and cage aquaculture during 2018.

They noted that: Chinas offshore aquaculture distribution was generally located within 40 km of the shoreline, and an aquaculture zone could be found around islands that were farther from the shoreline. Offshore aquaculture areas were mostly distributed in estuaries, harbors, and islands.

In terms of production methods, their results showed that coastal zone raft aquaculture covered 194,110 hectares largely in the north and centre of the coastline. Cage aquaculture covered 5,784 hectares, and was largely confined to the south of the country.

The extraction results can be used not only to evaluate Chinas aquaculture production but also offer significant reference value for scientific planning related to sea use, ecological environmental protection, and marine disaster prevention and mitigation, they wrote.

The researchers did concede that their remote sensing extraction results were inconsistent with figures from the statistical yearbook and therefore, in the future, plan to add multiple images to make up for the omissions caused by single-phase image extraction and add high-resolution optical images and microwave images to further ensure the reliability of the data set.

In the future, we plan to use the advantages remote sensing offers in terms of high-frequency, large-scale, and long-term observation to conduct more detailed and extensive application research on marine aquaculture to provide technical support for the management and planning of coastal zones, they conclude.

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Shedding new light on China's offshore aquaculture industry - The Fish Site

Fast4Ward FPSO hulls progressing despite COVID-19 – Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

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Johan Castberg turret mooring system manifold load-out.

(Courtesy SBM Offshore)

Offshore staff

MONACO SBM Offshore has provided updates on its FPSO construction programs.

Shortly after the Fast4Ward MPF hull of the Liza Unity for the Liza field offshore Guyana arrived in Singapore in February it was moved into dry-dock for integration of the mooring structures and lifting of the first topsides modules onto the vessel.

Once the dry-dock phase is over, the hull will be transferred back to the integration quayside to complete topsides lifting and integration.

Due to COVID-19, yards in Singapore are currently closed, but yards in China have re-opened and are running near normal capacity, SBM says, following closure due to the Chinese New Year and COVID-19 restrictions.

The keel has been laid for the Fast4Ward MPF hull for the FPSO Sepetiba for the Sepia field offshore Brazil, and topsides fabrication has started in China and Brazil.

To date SBM has ordered five Fast4Ward hulls, three of which are allocated. The third of these is for the FPSO Prosperity for ExxonMobils Payara field development in the Staborek block offshore Guyana, although that project remains subject to government approvals and authorization to proceed with the next phase.

Construction has started on hull number four and is progressing in accordance with SBMs execution plan.

As for the companys offshore vessel fleet, various cases of COVID-19 have been identified, but the response plans have been effective to date, in some cases supported by deep decontamination measures.

SBM is charging the incremental costs from implementation of these additional measures to clients in the case of reimbursable contracts. Otherwise costs are being borne by the relevant operating companies in which SBM has an ownership stake.

The 100%-owned Thunder Hawk semisubmersible production platform was temporarily shut down due to COVID-19 impacts at the end of April.

05/14/2020

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Fast4Ward FPSO hulls progressing despite COVID-19 - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

Germany Raises 2030 Offshore Wind Target to 20 GW – Offshore WIND

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German federal government, the coastal states, and the transmission system operators have signed a joint agreement to raise Germanys offshore wind capacity target from 15 GW to 20 GW by 2030.

Following the meeting of the energy ministers last week, the final work on the agreement has now been completed.

With the agreement, all parties are committed to working closely to realize the wind energy expansion in the German North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

The agreement is said to offer concrete milestones and timelines for all involved parties to ensure that the necessary planning and approval steps, as well as the construction of the connection lines and the offshore wind farms, go hand in hand.

Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) will continue to update the area development plan and identify the areas needed for the additional capacity by the end of the year.

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) had already confirmed the connection lines required for the connection of these new wind farms in the 2019 network development plan.

The coastal states will complete the approval processes in a timely manner and the transmission system operators; TenneT, 50Hertz, and Amprion; will put the offshore connection lines into operation in a timely manner so that the electricity from the future wind farms can be transported without delays, BSH said.

This offshore agreement also implements a requirement from the 2030 climate protection program of October 2019 to conclude a binding agreement with the affected coastal countries and the transmission system operators as a prerequisite for raising the offshore target to 20 GW.

In the future, the project timelines will be checked regularly so that delays are identified at an early stage and appropriate measures are taken quickly, BSH said.

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Germany Raises 2030 Offshore Wind Target to 20 GW - Offshore WIND

Offshore Wind amid COVID19: SMBC, Parkwind & WFO share insight – News for the Oil and Gas Sector – Energy Voice

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Following impressive year-on-year growth, it is established Offshore Wind will play a critical part in energy transition. Forecasts 2020-2030 is set to be a booming decade for the sector.

However, crisis points are the ultimate test. With energy prices falling and labour mobility disrupted amid Covid-19, what are immediate and long-term implications for planned and ongoing projects? And how will this affect the wider value chain?

Reuters Events latest Offshore Wind interactive webinar explores how developers, operators, banks, and the supply chain can adjust to the impact of Covid-19. Sharing insights, Pieter Marinus (General Counsel,Parkwind), Jing Liu (Sector Lead of Power & Utilities, SMBC) and Gunnar Herzig (Managing Director, World Forum Offshore Wind).

Sign up or request recordings:Offshore Wind Amid Covid-19 (15th May, 10am BST)

Facing the unprecedented challenges during this COVID-19 crisis, all the stakeholders of the offshore wind sector have to work together and take a strategic approach said Jing Liu, SMBC, This should involve evaluating the impacts from supply chain to energy market demand, adapting to the changes from logistics to financial market, developing the solutions from governments to developers, in order to maintain growth.

Covering three critical areas, the webinar will provide project updates, unpack the response from the investment community and offer advice on how the supply chain should respond. As Parkwind have a number of ongoing projects during this pandemic, the audience will be able to propose questions on the challenges of developing projects under difficult conditions.

The session further explores the implication of the oil price crash and the slump in energy demanding, weighing up whether this will provide opportunities for speeding up the transition to renewables or make energy projects as a whole less attractive.

Sign up or request recordings:Offshore Wind Amid Covid-19 (15th May, 10am BST)

Amid uncertainty, it is integral to share insights and debate the essential topics and key challenges facing renewables. This webinar forms part of a new series of Offshore and Floating Wind insights by Reuters Events, showcasing their commitment to provide the industry with a digital forum to connect and stay updated. Over the coming months, Offshore and Floating Wind Europe will be delivering a series of podcasts, whitepapers, presentations, and a virtual event in October.

For more information about the Virtual Offshore and Floating Wind Summit please visit thewebsite,or get in touch with Luke Brett, Project Director at Reuters Events via LinkedIn!

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Offshore Wind amid COVID19: SMBC, Parkwind & WFO share insight - News for the Oil and Gas Sector - Energy Voice

Why India needs offshore wind to blow coal out of the water | Recharge – Recharge

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India will need offshore wind to meet demand for electricity that is expected to double in this decade alone unless, that is, the nation really wants to see gas or even coal stepping in to fill a gap that land-based renewables just wont be able to fill.

The latest National Electricity Plan (NEP) of India estimates a requirement of nearly 475GW of new installed capacity from all sources by 2030.

Offshore Wind is actively being explored as a new source in the energy mix of India. Government has earmarked areas with potential for up to 70GW and is considering development of sites with 1.7GW of pipeline. At the same time a highly ambitious target of 30GW by 2030 was announced, which will be missed.

This is against the backdrop of cheap prices of large-scale onshore solar and wind in India. The current price for these sources range between $35-50/MWh. In contrast, offshore wind costs are currently expected to be two to three times of onshore wind and solar, which sceptics say makes the case for sea-based turbines look very weak.

But they are failing to take account of the pressure of the scale of installations envisaged in the NEP. There will be just not be enough land and grid infrastructure to evacuate 440GW of renewables.

Solar and wind-based plants are the main pillar of the NEP, which requires expansion of power on the grid by nearly 375GW within the next decade. This has never been attempted, and will be an uphill if not an impossible task; realistic estimates are for about 250GW of additions by 2030, based on previous growth trajectories, budget allocations and transmission utility plans.

Furthermore, this new capacity will be installed on sites with Tier-3 resources (for onshore wind) negating some of the improvements in underlying technology to bring down prices. Despite decline of cost of generation, the cost of grid infrastructure and demand for sites for renewable projects will drive the landed costs up by around 30% on current prices for both solar and wind.

The second pillar of the desired future energy mix is coal-based plants, which are also facing challenges. Some 97GW of coal-based power plants are planned, but only 41GW are likely to come online by 2030, and cancellations are expected in the pipeline, as new projects will find it hard to raise finance due to multiple reasons.

Coal based power plants continue to be under severe pressure of high-risk perception due to financing, fuel and demand risks. Other non-emitting power resources contribute a small amount, as nuclear and hydro are in total expected to contribute only 34GW by 2030. There is no plan to add gas-based power plans this decade.

A shortfall in onshore renewables could revive demand to fire up more coal and gas-based plants.

Offshore wind can emerge as a preferred source of electricity, if it can compete and win against coal.

But fossil fuels are likely to become expensive while the generation cost from offshore wind is only expected to decline as the supply chain builds up.

Offshore wind is a renewable alternative that can emerge as a preferred source of electricity, if it can compete and win against coal-based power in India.

The cost benchmark for offshore wind must be set at the future LCoE of new coal in India, which is expected to be around $70/MWh, and that benchmark must be from pure LCoE, as India does not have a carbon emission tax and may not agree to impose one

The emerging shortfall of required installed base and price benchmark of $70/MWh in 2030 creates reasonable conditions for offshore wind growth in India.

It would be down to prospective players in the sector proactively set cost targets, and look for ways to reach them by leveraging local capabilities in supply chain and project development.

Sidharth Jain is managing director at MEC+

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Why India needs offshore wind to blow coal out of the water | Recharge - Recharge

Offshore wind must mimic North Sea export ‘battles’ and ‘win them on a global stage’, Orsted boss says – News for the Oil and Gas Sector – Energy…

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Orsteds UK boss last night called on the countrys offshore wind sector to pick export battles like to the North Sea oil and gas industry and win them on a global stage.

Benj Sykes, Orsteds UK vice-president and chairman of the UK Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), said the prize in the sector would be the ability to globally export skills and services.

Mr Sykes, who has previously worked for Shell and Hess, urged the UK offshore wind sector to follow the lead shown by the north-easts subsea oil and gas industry.

Speaking during the All-Energy Conference 2020 webinar, he said: This is a global market and were talking about huge volumes well over 1000 gigawatts (GW) globally.

The prize in this industry is to be good at exporting, to have goods and services that the world wants.

I come from an oil and gas background, I have seen the success of the subsea oil and gas industry of exporting the capabilities developed in Aberdeen and the north-east and how theyve taken it globally.

What I would like to see is for us to find ways to do the same, we need to pick our battles and we need to win them on a global stage.

Mr Sykes and ScottishPower Renewables Jonathan Cole also tipped floating wind sector to be big, if the industry develops over the next five years.

Mr Cole, whose firm recently announced trials with Norwegian Olav Olsen on floating wind technology, said UK authorities had to start taking floating wind more seriously if it wants to get anywhere near the 75GW target to meet net zero.

But he warned that getting big depends on a couple of factors.

Mr Cole said: Right now, comparing floating to fixed-bottom offshore wind, floating is way more expensive because the structures are bigger and theyre more expensive.

But the advantage it has is that its much more prone to mass production and install ability is much easier if you have the right infrastructure in place.

But in order to take advantage of that you need to have scale and a rationalisation of the technology race that were in theres more than 60 concepts right now.

What you need in the next five years is enough scale of projects coming into the market and enough technologies to take that scale and use it to start driving the cost down.

If that happens, its entirely conceivable that floating can make a contribution to the 2030 target, but its all about timing.

Eventually floating is going to be a big part of our industry.

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Offshore wind must mimic North Sea export 'battles' and 'win them on a global stage', Orsted boss says - News for the Oil and Gas Sector - Energy...

Vattenfall Gathers Blade Squad – Offshore WIND

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Vattenfall has signed a Framework Agreement with two UK and one Danish company to provide up-tower blade maintenance and repair at the companys wind farms for a minimum period of two years.

The Swedish energy company selected GEV Wind Power, James Fisher Marine Services, and Danish Blade Service to provide the blade maintenance and repair services.

The agreement will cover over 900 turbines at 50 wind farms across the UK, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The sites are located both onshore and offshore.

The UKs offshore wind industry is world-leading, and will make a crucial contribution to achieving the ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Im delighted that these companies will share their services and experience in pursuit of this goal, Danielle Lane, Vattenfalls UK Country Manager, said.

The launch of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal in the UK last year has boosted investor confidence, because it defines a number of targets, which are to be achieved by the UK Government and the offshore wind sector. These targets cover offshore wind deployment, creation and security of tens of thousands of jobs, employing a more diverse and skilled workforce, and significant opportunities for UK businesses. Our collaboration with GEV Wind Power and James Fisher Marine Services, both based in the East of England, demonstrates our commitment to enable the untapped potential of UK companies in the renewables sector to be realised, and boosting local employment and economic regeneration.

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Vattenfall Gathers Blade Squad - Offshore WIND

Hexicon JV eyes offshore wind in South Africa – reNEWS

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Swedish floating offshore wind technology developer Hexicon is working with Genesis Eco-Energy Developments to explore opportunities for project development off South Africa.

A joint venture company Genesis-Hexicon has been set up to drive development, the partners said.

They said the purpose of the JV is to jointly develop large-scale floating wind projects, contribute to the Oceans Economy and clean energy targets for South Africa, and transfer the Hexicon IP for deep water deployment in the South African market.

Hexicon chief executive Henrik Baltscheffsky said: This is the winning formula for large scale energy production in South Africa, one of the top 10 long term markets on the planet for deep water deployment.

We are proud to have teamed up with Genesis Eco-Energy Developments that since 2002 has a proven track record developing onshore wind and solar projects and also collaborating with the government stakeholders in shaping the renewable energy policies in South Africa.

Genesis Eco-Energy Developments managing director Davin Chown said: As one of South Africa's pioneering wind energy development companies, the logistical progression for Genesis will be to focus offshore along South Africa's coastline which has abundant unexplored resources.

This is an ideal opportunity to explore the deployment of this innovative floating wind technology from Hexicon.

Now is the right time to start to develop the South Africa offshore wind energy market and contribute to Operation Phakisa, the Oceans Economy programme.

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Hexicon JV eyes offshore wind in South Africa - reNEWS