Offshore Wind Site Assessment

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OREI provides a stepped approach to derive comprehensive offshore wind site assessments that help investors, developers, and governments make confident, data-driven decisions. It integrates environmental science, engineering, regulatory insight, and economic forecasting to expose the risks and to balance them against the full potential of an offshore wind energy site. Here's how it is done:

Step 1. Feasibility Study

OREI evaluates the physical, environmental, and logistical practicality of your proposed site. A strong feasibility outcome indicates a project with real potential and investor confidence.

A. Wind Speed Analysis

The combination of the most recently available and historical meteorological data is used to determine the potential site that could provide optimal energy generation. 

B. Water Depth Assessment

Water depth sets the potential sites' boundaries and determines the foundation type and installation complexity. Fixed or floating foundation types are based on site-specific bathymetry, cost, and installation considerations.

C. Subsea Infrastructure & Marine Constraints

Potential site areas require mapping against existing pipelines, cables, shipping lanes, and marine sanctuaries to minimize conflict, reduce risk, and ensure compliance with maritime regulations.

D. Land-based Infrastructure 

Assembly of the offshore wind components - for both fixed and floating foundation types - requires specialized ports with good access, distant from civilian and military aviation but within proximity of the sites for controlled cost of deployments

E. Grid Interconnection Proximity

Short distances to points of interconnection with a grid to deliver the power, reduce energy losses, and cable costs. This step requires grid access, substation availability, and analysis of regulatory pathways.

Initial Recommendations 

Should the initial findings within the first step expose the absence of the key elements for the development of an offshore wind project, the recommendation would be to look for an alternative site and not to proceed with researching the site's viability.

Step 2. Site Viability

Following the high-level feasibility assessment, the viability determination examines the long-term technical and economic sustainability, ensuring the project works and brings net positive cash revenue in a competitive energy landscape.

F. Regulatory Framework Analysis

OREI reviews local, regional, and national regulations and permitting requirements to highlight compliance issues that potentially hinder project timelines.

G. Environmental Impact Review

Protecting marine ecosystems is central to responsible development. Conducting in-depth assessments of environmentally sensitive issues and other stakeholder concerns is essential to developing effective mitigation plans.

H. Bathymetric Survey

An in-depth examination of seabed topography provides a more accurate cable routing and helps narrow the choice of foundation design. 

I. Geophysical & Geotechnical Surveys

Understanding seabed composition, sediment layers, and geological risks contributes to foundation choices and minimizes construction uncertainty.

J. Technical Assessment of Foundations & Turbines

OREI pairs turbine and substructure technologies to local conditions—balancing performance, reliability, availability, and cost over the project lifecycle.

K. Transmission System Assessment

OREI evaluates HVAC and HVDC options, routing logistics, and grid integration strategies to ensure efficient power delivery to shore.

L. High-Level Site Merit Ranking

If several sites are being considered, as is often the case in early-stage offshore wind portfolio assessments, OREI ranks the potential sites using key economic and technical indicators to derive strategic portfolio decisions for prioritizing site acquisitions and development investments.

M. Supply Chain Analysis

OREI examines the availability of components, vessels, and local manufacturing capabilities, supporting local content goals and exposing any logistical risks that may hinder the development, adding to the timeline and development costs.

N. Workforce Resource Review

An integral sequel of the supply-chain analysis is to identify skilled labor availability and training needs for all project phases, from origination, development, front end engineering design) through construction & deployment to long-term operations & maintenance (O&M).

O. Port Infrastructure Assessment

Given that offshore wind is a relatively new industry, there are not many ports around the world designed and built for handling the large and heavy components. OREI assesses port readiness within the economically viable distance of the site for fabrication and O&M suitability, including storage, load-out areas, quay length, crane capabilities, pier strength, and open-water access.

Q. Economic & Social Impact Analysis

Offshore wind most often creates jobs, benefits communities, and uplifts regional economies. A benefits cost analysis with quantified positive impacts strengthens public and political support.

R. Market & Competitive Landscape

Mapping other energy sources (e.g., solar, onshore wind, fossil fuels), market trends, and competitor developers helps assess the market position of a potential new site. It can inform a pricing strategy and stakeholder engagement campaign.

S. Comprehensive Risk Assessment

Evaluating the pooled regulatory, technical, environmental, and financial risks using probability and impact analysis with mitigation planning leads to mitigation options and contingency planning to support resilient decision-making.

T. Implementation Plan

OREI develops a full timeline from permitting an FLiDAR for wind resource verification through to commissioning, ensuring every step is realistic and aligned with policy targets. It also highlights critical points where delays may significantly impact financing schedules.

U. Offtake Strategy & Price Forecasts

Following the identification of potential electricity buyers (utilities, aggregators, corporations), a price range analysis for the electricity offtake is used to support revenue forecasting. 

V. Economic & Financial Modeling

The financial analysis modeling includes as many forecasted costs as possible for the DEVEX, CAPEX, Construction, Deployment, and commissioning through to 25 or 30 years of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) LCoE, ROI, cash flow projections, and sensitivity analysis. 

Should financing options include debt financing, a list of potential lenders can be proposed along with a one-page summary of the offshore wind site and the investment opportunity, outlining a clear business case for stakeholders.

Final Recommendations

OREI's final deliverable summarizes the findings with suggested actionable next steps and associated costs to limit financial exposure during the project's development (resource characterization and FEED). Given that offshore wind projects have a long lead time, it is normal to recommend periodically re-evaluating the financial inputs throughout the DEVEX phase and assessing any variations in the findings leading to a financial investment decision for construction.

Deliver a clear, actionable strategy tailored to your project's strengths and challenges, supporting investment, permitting, and stakeholder engagement from start to finish.