Posted on July 29, 2026
For more than two decades, offshore wind has been one of the UK’s greatest industrial success stories. From a nascent technology, offshore wind has evolved into the backbone of a modern, low-carbon energy system, driving investment, creating skilled jobs and positioning the UK as a global leader in renewable energy.
That success has never come from standing still or looking backwards. Every major phase of the industry’s growth has required us to challenge accepted wisdom, overcome engineering barriers and push into new frontiers. Larger turbines, deeper waters, longer transmission distances and increasingly complex projects have all become possible because the sector has continually embraced innovation.
Today, the next frontier lies in deeper waters.
For several years, the industry has largely viewed this challenge through a binary lens. Conventional fixed-bottom foundations have been seen as the solution for shallower waters, while floating offshore wind has emerged as the long-term answer for the deepest locations.
Floating technology will undoubtedly play a major role in the future of offshore wind, unlocking vast new deepwater seabed areas around the world that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
However, it cannot be denied that the journey to full commercial maturity has taken longer than many hoped, largely due to challenging economic circumstances and corresponding difficulties in overcoming key industrialisation and infrastructure hurdles. This delay in overcoming such significant barriers should be viewed as part of a complex process, rather than as a failure. Floating offshore wind remains an essential part of our industry’s future.
But it does mean we should be willing to ask whether there are additional solutions that can help bridge the gap and accelerate deployment over the coming decade, giving floating more time to fulfil its promise.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that such solutions do exist.
A new category of “other deepwater” offshore wind is beginning to emerge. These are hybrid foundation concepts designed for intermediate water depths (initially in the 60-90 metre range) that are generally considered too deep for conventional fixed-bottom foundations, but not so deep that floating is the only option.
The attraction of these hybrid concepts is that they can combine many of the advantages of fixed-bottom projects with the ability to operate in significantly deeper water.
Because many designs build upon proven engineering principles, they can often be simpler to certify and fabricate than fully floating systems.
Their slimmer, lighter structures have the potential to reduce manufacturing costs, while making localisation easier by using existing fabrication capability, including tower manufacturers and established steel supply chains.
Transportation and installation can be simpler, utilising vessel spreads that are comparable to, or potentially even lesser than, those used for conventional fixed-bottom projects. Additionally, costly new port infrastructure upgrades are unlikely to be required.
Once installed, these foundations behave much more like fixed-bottom structures than floating systems. They can support conventional fixed turbines, use static export cables and benefit from operational and maintenance strategies that are already well understood across the industry.
In other words, when designed correctly, hybrid structures can offer the possibility of extending many of the efficiencies and supply chain advantages of fixed-bottom wind into deeper waters.
‘Developers and investors need momentum’
This matters because the offshore wind industry needs continuity.
Developers require investable projects. Investors need confidence that deployment will continue at a predictable pace. Manufacturers and suppliers need consistent demand to justify expanding capacity and investing in people. If there is a gap between the commercial scaling of conventional fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind, the entire offshore wind ecosystem risks losing momentum.
Providing an additional pathway into intermediate water depths could help avoid that outcome. The industry will embrace complementary solutions that accelerate deployment, strengthen supply chains and continue driving down the cost of clean energy.
The UK Government’s decision to include an Other Deepwater Offshore Wind category within Allocation Round 8 is therefore an important and welcome development. It demonstrates the pragmatic leadership that has characterised much of the UK’s offshore wind success to date – creating space for innovation while allowing different technologies to prove themselves through competition.
Offshore wind has always advanced because innovators have challenged accepted boundaries and expanded what the industry believed was possible. As we enter the next phase of the sector’s evolution, we should resist thinking in terms of fixed versus floating. The future of offshore wind will require both – and almost certainly something significant in between.
