offshore powerboats uk

• Axopar 22 Spyder/TTOP
• Axopar 25 Cross Bow/Cross
• Axopar 29 XC/ST
• Axopar 37 XC/ST/Spyder
• Axopar 45 XC/ST/Cross Top
• Axopars in stock
• Our Trusted Parners

WWW.AXOPARUK.COM

Axopar presented by nimbus boats uk ltd.

WWW.AXOPARUK.COM / Nimbus Boats UK Ltd

Our team is made up of experienced boaters who are passionate about the industry. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service and helping our customers make the most of their time on the water. 45 years’ experience in powerboat sales

Nimbus Boats UK Ltd, formerly Offshore Powerboats Ltd, have been trading high quality sailing boats and powerboats since 1980, offering both new and used craft. We have been importing Nimbus boats since 1981.

AXOPAR We have also been importing since 2014, right from the start when they launched their amazing 28 range. Over the last 10 years we are now up to over 230 boats sold in this time and have extensive knowledge of the whole range which include 22, 25, 28, 29, 37 & 45 foot models. Being also Scandinavian we have developed an unrivaled understanding of the product working with the AXOPAR team that developed the much acclaimed Paragon Yachts that Nimbus included in their impressive portfolio of boats.

We are the importers of Nimbus powerboats for the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. We are proud to offer a broad range of craft from all our lines, so there’s sure to be something to suit every need.

Additionally, we offer a wide selection of pre-owned motor and sail boats ashore at our Yacht Haven Marina base in Lymington . You can always rely on over 45 years’ experience backed up by valuations and surveys, and when you buy from us you know you are getting not only the right advice but also top value for your investment.

We pride ourselves on being located in the heart of the Solent; all our staff spend time afloat, and we are confident that you will get only the best advice on buying either a new or pre-owned powerboat or a pre-owned sailing boat from Nimbus Boats UK Ltd.

ARE Journey into the World ADVENTURE Boating with AXOPAR 'THE ADVENTURE COMPANY'

Check out this great video

Better yet, see us in person!

We love our Axopar customers, so feel free to visit us or contact us anytime!

Nimbus Boats UK Limited, Lymington Yacht Haven, King's Saltern Road, Lymington, Hants, SO41 3QD

+44 (0) 1590 677955 / [email protected]

Drop us a line!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Copyright © 2024 Nimbus Boats UK  Ltd - All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. 

ENIGMA SUPER RIBS BESPOKE BRITISH BUILT

38 - 45ft leisure, commercial and military super ribs with extensive 3.4m beam.

Enigma Powerboats, the skilled manufacturer of luxury super ribs on Britain’s south coast. We redefine the standards of technological excellence ; hand built, tailor made vessels with unrivalled opulence, safety and comfort on the water.

Whether in need of superior style, outstanding safety, multi purpose use, commercial purpose, or military demanding support, Enigma will provide the core strength, extensive onboard deck area and bespoke configuration to meet those needs, on an Offshore CAT B superior rib platform. Lets open discussions on your Enigma configuration needs.

ENIGMA HISTORY

Enigma wasn’t born yesterday. High performance powerboat racing runs through the Enigma teams' blood with over 25 years of UK Offshore powerboat race involvement and multiple challenging endurance race wins in a Enigma 38 replica hull build. With further boat design builds, and 10 years of design, study, data and discussions, our extensive knowledge now brings to market a brand that delivers the strongest, safe and comfortable high performance craft. The Enigma.

We are passionate to convert supercar style into super rib functionality, and constantly design and test ideas that can adapt to handling salt, wave movement, weather conditions that exceed many parameters of road travel at speed. This is why Enigma is so outstanding in safety, comfort and design. Our clients choose and deserve the best of everything in their bespoke Enigma. Book a viewing t o experience Enigma directly.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of maritime engineering ensures that every super rib is meticulously designed to exceed your expectations. From the moment you step aboard, you will experience first class design and technology, bespoke craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

Indulge in the ultimate luxury experience as you navigate the seas in a vessel tailored to your desires. Whether you seek a serene cruise along the coastline or an exhilarating offshore expedition, Enigma Powerboats is your trusted partner in making waves with style, sophistication, and safety.

WE USE COOKIES. We only use these for analysis of our visitors to our site. Information about the traffic is shared with Google for this purpose only. Learn More

Offshore Cruisers For Sale

• Boats For Sale
• Motor Boats
• Offshore Cruiser

Here you will find a selection of Offshore Cruisers for sale from around the UK as well as Europe and beyond. You will find boats from all the leading manufactures like Sunseeker, Sealine and Fairline as well as Princess, Bayliner plus many more. We have boats for sale in Hampshire, Dorset, Cornwall and Kent as well other locations from across the Country.

Have a look at our list of Offshore Cruisers For Sale below

• Date (Ascending)
• Date (Descending)
• Price (Ascending)
• Price (Descending)
• Listing Title
• Description
• Length (Ascending)
• Length (Descending)
• Add to Favorites
• Custom OPEN BOOT 500 for sale

• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 1900 Length: 5 m Country: Netherlands City: Amsterdam (NL), NETHERLANDS
• Custom MOTORBOOT 650 for sale

• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 1900 Length: 8 m Country: Netherlands City: Amsterdam (NL), NETHERLANDS
• DE ANTONIO YACHTS D42 for sale

• De Antonio D42 This beautiful D42 has just 150hrs on the clock, She spent the summer in IBIZA working charters, she can be used for personal use or as a business. With a walk around concept this yacht is perfect for a day at sea or days with family and friends. Technical Specifications Year 2022 Flag Spanish list 6 Length overall 12.36m Beam 3.99m Draft 0.70m Occupants 12 pax Cabins 1 + 1 Bathrooms 1 Engine 3x 400hp Mercury Fuel Type Gasoill Engine hours 150h Fuel tank 1,300ll Fresh water tank 250l Displacement 7,600l DECK AND COMFORT Hard top Orning extension tarpaulin Electricplatform xl with hydraulic system Manual crane Hull side windows Seat and console covers Led Platform shower USB 12v socket Kitchen Flexiteck ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT Inverter 3kw with 3.240ah BATTERIES Air conditioning Fridge x2 Ice maker Tv Under water led lights NAVIGATION AND ELECTRONICS X2 navegation screens (12) with sonar hdi Audio system media master 6 speakers and sub woofer Bow thruster Zip wake Chain counter COMFORT / INTERIORS forward owner's cabin bathroom with shower saloon with sofa aft DOCUMENTATION up to date MAINTENANCE in good standard
• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser City: Denia Built: 2022 Length: 12.36 m Country: Spain City: Denia
• € 550,000.00
• LELIEVLET 550 for sale

• Lilylet 550 now in the online auction. Anyone can bid until September 2, 2024The Lelievlet is a steel sloop with a length of 550cm and a width of 135cm. The draft is 40 cm with a clearance of 100 cm and a weight of 650kg.The last time the boat has been out of the water for maintenance was in March 2023, during which also the last antifouling treatment took place. There are some damages to the paint job and there is a small round hole on the foredeck, where a beer tap used to be.The boat\'s design is by Beenhakker and the hull has a flat bottom. Steering is via a steering wheel, located outside.In terms of accommodation, the boat is simple. The boat\'s engine is working and it is a single outboard engine of the Yamaha brand with an output of 8 hp. The engine has four cylinders and has about 200 hours of operation. The year of construction of the engine is unknown. The boat can reach a maximum speed of 15 km/h and uses gasoline as fuel. The tank has a capacity of 10 liters.In summary, the Canal Boat is a solid and functional steel sloop, ideal for use on canals and small waters. Despite some minor defects, such as damage to the paintwork and a small hole on the foredeck, the boat is in good condition and is ready for immediate use.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONWe advise you to take advantage of the viewing day. The boat is in the water. This boat is delivered without trailer. The year of construction is unknown and therefore fictitious. This boat is sold under the general and special auction conditions. This is a public auction so the purchase cannot be returned based on the legal right of withdrawal.
• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 1900 Length: 5.5 m Country: Netherlands City: Loosdrecht (NL), NETHERLANDS
• Custom NAVALIA 58 for sale

• 2024 complete service of engines and generators, April 2023: replacement of axles and propellers, 2023 zero hull and bulwark polishing, reconstruction: internal carpet, teak platform, 2020: top reconstruction, 2019: total internal refitNavigation equipment:Rudder angle indicator, On-Board Computer, Joystick.Staging and technical:6 Batteries, Teak Side Decks, Deck Shower, Electric Flaps, Hard top (elettrico), Courtesy Lights, Underwater lights, Gangway, Teak Cockpit, Shorepower connector, Electric Windlass, cockpit table (teak), Living Room Foldable Table, Tender (3 mt 20 hp).Domestic Facilities onboard:Warm Water System, 12V Outlets, 220V Outlets, 3 Electric Toilet.Entertainment:8 Speakers, Hi-Fi, 3 TV.Kitchen and appliances:Galley, 2 Burner (induzione), Deck Refrigerator, ICE Maker, Dishwasher.Upholstery:Cushions, Stern Cushions, Bow Cushions, Cockpit Cushions, Blackout Curtains, Window Cover, Instrument Cover, Seat Cover, Sunshade.
• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 2003 Length: 16.75 m Country: Italy City: Palermo, Sicilia, ITALY
• € 270,000.00
• Custom TRENT CLASS for sale

• **Generic RNLI Trent Class photo used only - contact seller for more information**hull: epoxy fibre-reinforced composite with 100mm thick foam-cored sandwich.deck and superstructure: 25mm foam cored sandwichEngines:2 x MAN LE2840 18 litre V10 turbocharged and intercooled 848hp diesel engines, propulsion via ZF190 gearboxes, shafts and propellersA lot of boat for the money.Dimensions DetailsConstruction DetailsHull Shape: Tank DetailsFuel: 4180 ltrs/phGeneral DetailsConstruction Type: OtherEngine HP: 850Port/Marina: FleetwoodBoat Docking: Ashore
• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 1995 Length: 14 m Country: England City: Fleetwood, UNITED KINGDOM
• £ 110,000.00
• Flipper FLIPPER 800 DC for sale

• Flipper 800 DC from 2023 with the wild/powerful 350 HP V10 Mercury engine. Plenty of power for water play/sports. The Flipper 800 DC is the flagship of Flipper\'s delicious Daycruiser series. This boat is really well thought out and super stylish. Everything is top quality with great details. The boat is equipped with a huge, inviting cockpit with plenty of seating around the luxurious teak table and a large cockpit for the captain. The cabin is practically furnished with a toilet and a place to sleep and socialize.A boat that is packed with equipment and really worth a visit.Canopy with headroomPort canopyToilet with septic tankOil burnerSimrad 12\" GPSBow thrusterWaeco refrigeratorGas cookerRadio with bluetooth4 SpeakersDouble battery with chargerFresh water tankWater ski poleTrim tabsActiv trimHydraulic steeringTrim tabsTeak deck/cockpitStern showerSun cushionsTeak table in cockpitFire extinguisher
• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 2023 Length: 8.08 m City: Nordsminde havn, DENMARK
• £ 745,000.00
• MOANA 10 for sale

• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 2022 Length: 9.6 m Country: France City: Corse, France
• € 200,000.00
• Benetti BENETTI 22.50 FRATELLI for sale

• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 1981 Length: 22.5 m Country: Italy City: Roma, Roma, ITALY
• € 800,000.00
• Custom GHIBLI 22 for sale

• Category: Motor Boats, Offshore Cruiser Built: 1987 Length: 22 m Country: Italy City: Napoli, Napoli, ITALY
• € 150,000.00
• Page of 399

• Performance
• About Cougar
• Rigid Inflatables
• Patrol Craft
• Custom Tenders
• Special Projects
• The US1 Series
• Cougar on Patrol
• Your Cougar
• Cougar Racing
• Historical Cougar

Welcome to Cougar

For over 47 yrs Cougar has lead the way in Performance and design, Cougar has always proved it design concepts through the form of racing and is synonymous to success in offshore racing.

Our production sportsboats, ribs and patrol craft are all of the highest pedigree, with proven high performance hulls and an unrivalled ride these water born sports craft are the ultimate acquisition for the owner who wants more than just another boat.

Cougar pride themselves on the performance of their products, We will setup and test your chosen power plant with your Cougar ensuring a perfect match and tailoring the setup to your requirements of speed, acceleration, rough water stability & economy.

Cougar Powerboats

UK  Tel: + 44 (0)1329 484861 or + 44 (0)7977463991

USA Tel: +1 (561) 906-96955

e-mail: [email protected]

• Privacy Policy

WELCOME TO BULLET OFFSHORE RACING

Feel free to look around.

TO BULLET OFFSHORE RACING

The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race is considered to be one of the toughest and most prestigious offshore powerboat races in the world. The race covers a distance of approximately 190 nautical miles, starting and finishing in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, and passing through Torquay on the south coast of England.

The race has a rich history, dating back to 1961, and has attracted some of the biggest names in powerboat racing over the years. Drew Langdon is a British powerboat racer who has competed in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race, as well as other offshore powerboat races around the world. He has achieved multiple victories and podium finishes in various powerboat racing events throughout his career.

Pressing on at the week end – A second win in the championship at Poole Bay Classic

Poole Bay 100 is an offshore powerboat race that takes place annually in Poole Bay, on the south coast of England. The race covers a distance of 100 nautical miles and is organized by the UK Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (UKOPRA).The UKOPRA is the governing body for offshore powerboat racing in the UK and is responsible for organizing a number of offshore powerboat races throughout the country. The organization sets the rules and regulations for the races and ensures that they are conducted safely and fairly.

The Poole Bay 100 is one of the most popular races organized by the UKOPRA and attracts competitors from all over the world. The race takes place in September each year and features a variety of different classes of powerboats, ranging from smaller entry-level boats to larger high-performance racing boats.

The Lymington Challenge is an offshore powerboat race that takes place in Lymington, a coastal town located in Hampshire, England. The race covers a distance of approximately 100 nautical miles and is organized by the Lymington Powerboat Racing Club.

The Lymington Challenge is open to powerboats of all types and sizes, and is known for attracting a diverse range of competitors, from amateur enthusiasts to professional racers. The race is typically held in June or July each year and is one of the highlights of the UK offshore powerboat racing calendar.

The course for the Lymington Challenge takes competitors along the Solent, around the Isle of Wight, and back to Lymington. The race is known for its challenging conditions, with strong currents, rough seas, and shifting winds adding to the difficulty of the race. Despite the challenges, the Lymington Challenge is a popular event among powerboat racing enthusiasts and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting offshore powerboat races in the UK.

2019 CTC – 1ST OVER ALL WITH AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 92.87 MPH

The Cornish 100 Trophy is an offshore powerboat race that takes place in Cornwall, a county located in the southwest of England. The race covers a distance of approximately 100 nautical miles and is organized by the South West Offshore Racing Association (SWORA).

The Cornish 100 Trophy is open to powerboats of all types and sizes, and typically attracts a range of competitors from amateur enthusiasts to professional racers. The race is usually held in July or August each year and is one of the most popular offshore powerboat races in the UK.

The course for the Cornish 100 Trophy takes competitors along the Cornish coast, past rugged cliffs and beautiful beaches, and around the famous Land’s End landmark. The race is known for its challenging conditions, with strong winds, choppy seas, and unpredictable weather adding to the difficulty of the race.

Despite the challenges, the Cornish 100 Trophy is a popular event among powerboat racing enthusiasts and offers a unique opportunity to experience the stunning coastline of Cornwall from the water.

The John Mace Perpetual Trophy

The Late Mike Fiore was awarded ‘The John Mace Perpetual Trophy’. I was honoured to accept on his behalf at The Royal Yacht Squadron Cowes UK for his contribution to Powerboat development. Mike having designed and built my Outerlimits SV43 which has now given us two consecutive wins at the International Cowes Torquay Cowes Powerboat Race In 2018 & 2019.

UKOPRA MARATHON WORLD CHAMPION 2018

CLASS 1 OFFSHORE RACING

Offshore racing in the UK is a highly competitive and exciting sport that involves high-performance powerboats and attracts top teams and drivers from around the world. The sport is governed by two main organizations: the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC) and the UK Offshore Racing Association (UKOPRA).

The BPRC is responsible for organizing and promoting the races themselves, while the UKOPRA oversees the technical and safety aspects of offshore powerboat racing in the UK.

Class one vee powerboats are a popular type of powerboat used in offshore racing in the UK. These boats are designed for speed and maneuverability, and can reach speeds of up to 120 mph. They are typically piloted by a team consisting of a driver and a throttleman, who work together to control the boat’s speed and direction.

Offshore racing events in the UK featuring class one vee powerboats include the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes and Poole-Bournemouth-Poole races, as well as the Guernsey Gold Cup and the Falmouth Fowey race. These events are highly competitive and attract large crowds of fans and spectators.

Safety is a top priority in offshore racing with class one vee powerboats, and strict rules and regulations are in place to ensure the safety of the drivers, teams, and spectators. The boats are equipped with advanced safety features like roll cages, fire suppression systems, and emergency air supplies for the crew.

Experience the Thrill : Class 1 Vee Powerboat Racing

Dive into the adrenaline-fueled world of Class 1 Vee racing, where cutting-edge technology meets extreme speed. Governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the sport’s international authority, Class 1 Vee racing adheres to stringent rules and regulations, covering everything from boat design to team requirements.Constructed with precision and safety in mind, these boats boast specific hull designs, cockpit layouts, and engine specifications. Advanced materials like carbon fiber and Kevlar ensure both strength and minimal weight, allowing for optimal performance.

Behind the wheel, a skilled duo of driver and throttleman work in harmony to master the boat’s speed and direction. The driver focuses on steering, while the throttleman fine-tunes the boat’s power, adjusting the throttles accordingly.Racecourses, marked by buoys or other markers, challenge teams with multiple laps around 6-8 mile-long tracks. The length and difficulty of these courses can vary based on location and conditions, but one thing remains constant: sheer exhilaration.

Propelled by twin engines generating up to 1750 horsepower each, these powerboats can reach astonishing speeds of up to 120 mph. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and safety is paramount in Class 1 Vee racing. Advanced features like roll cages, fire suppression systems, and emergency air supplies keep the crew protected.Before joining the ranks of this high-octane sport, drivers and teams must undergo extensive training and certification. Only then can they experience the unbridled thrill of Class 1 Vee racing. Join the excitement, and witness powerboat racing at its finest.

Privacy Overview

P1 Offshore;

Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sport’s governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.

Cookie Policy

Contact info.

• Address: 2320 Clark Street, Suite A1 Apopka, FL 32703 United States
• Phone: +1 407 985 1938
• Email: [email protected]

Cocoa Beach

Fri 17 - Sun 19, May

Lake of the Ozarks

Thu 30, May - 01, Jun

Fri 09 - Sun 11, Aug

Fri 23 - Sun 25, Aug

Fri 13 - Sun 15, Sep

St. Petersburg

Fri 18 - Sun 20, Oct

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Celebrates 40 Years

It’s a family affair, midwest challenge day 2: flexing their muscles, midwest challenge day 1: blown away by victory.

• Fri Sep 13 ~ Sun Sep 15 2024

Latest Videos

• Use Next/Prev Buttons for more

Featured Team

G.C. Racing Team

• 450R Factory Stock

Race Results

Race results 2023.

• 2023 Season

Keep In Touch

Get invitations to exclusive Powerboat events, watch races for free! Also get the latest on this high-octane sport!

• Boats for Sale

Offshore cruiser for sale (power)

• Offshore cruiser

What is a Offshore Cruiser?

An Offshore Cruiser is a boat designed for extended sea voyages far from shore. It is characterized by the unique combination of characteristics that make them suitable for the offshore environment, from long-range fuel capacity to the rugged construction of their hulls and decks. Offshore cruisers can travel safely and comfortably across great distances in all kinds of weather. Fortunately, their excellent manoeuvring capabilities allow their passengers to enjoy the ride in any sea state. In addition, these vessels are designed to accommodate additional passengers and amenities, such as berths and galley areas. Offshore cruisers are best known for their versatile performance, strength and durability.

Which manufacturers build offshore cruiser power boats?

Manufacturers that produce offshore cruiser power boats include Fairline , Sealine , Selene , Princess and Sunseeker .

How much does an offshore cruiser power boat cost?

A used offshore cruiser power boat on TheYachtMarket.com ranges in price from £12,500 GBP to £10,100,000 GBP with an average price of £596,000 GBP . Factors including the condition, age, model and specification will affect the price of an offshore cruiser.

Sign up to our newsletter

By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookie Policy

Change units of measure

This feature requires cookies to be enabled on your browser.

Show price in:

Show lengths, beam and draft in:

Show displacement or weight in:

Show capacity or volume in:

Show speed in:

Show distance in:

Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sport�s governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.

Cookie Policy

Contact info.

• Address: 2320 Clark Street, Suite A1 Apopka, FL 32703 United States
• Phone: +1 407 985 1938
• Email: [email protected]

Cocoa Beach

Fri 17 - Sun 19, May

Lake of the Ozarks

Thu 30, May - Sat 01, Jun

Fri 09 - Sun 11, Aug

Fri 13 - Sun 15, Sep

St. Petersburg

Fri 18 - Sun 20, Oct

Throttleman First Class

Catching up with billy moore, defalco aces qualifying to claim pole - again, savvy navvy partners with 2023 class 1 world champions 222 offshore, shootout offshore lake of the ozarks.

• Fri Sep 13 ~ Sun Sep 15 2024

Latest Videos

• Use Next/Prev Buttons for more

Class 1 Teams

dfYOUNG / Good Boy Vodka

Class 1 2023 Results

Uim class 1 results.

• 2023 Season

Keep In Touch

Get invitations to exclusive Class 1 events, watch races for free! Also get the latest on this high-octane sport!

Offshore Model Boat Enthusiasts

offshore model powerboats for all

Visit OffshoreMBE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=OffshoreMBE

New 2024 race calendar added on events and information page new venues added…12 race days throughout 2024., mount batten offshore results, brixham offshore results, coombe cellars offshore..

ENTRY DETAILS FOR UPCOMING RACES ARE ON EVENTS AND INFORMATION PAGE.

Please check for updated competition dates under the events section.

Updated details of OffshoreMBE basic rules and constitution is under the SUMMARY section.

OffshoreMBE Group Quorum. John Smith Tony Ellis Bob McCarthy Phil Locke Kevin Alcock Dave Sanders John K-D

Our very different concept has always thought to avoid over regulation, so please respect the few rules we have and keep the difference alive. The onus is on the competitors to self regulate themselves, drawing from their voyage of experience and knowledge. Please enter into the spirit of the occasion as befits this great hobby.

This is the OffshoreMBE difference

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

7-DAY UNLIMITED ACCESS

Second offshore wind turbine blade fails, this time in the UK

By Heather Richards | 08/23/2024 01:41 PM EDT

The incident follows a broken blade at an offshore wind project in Massachusetts.

An offshore wind farm is visible from the beach in Hartlepool, England, on Nov. 12, 2019. Frank Augstein/AP Photo

An offshore wind blade failed this week at the Dogger Bank wind farm off the coast of England, marking the third time this year that a GE Vernova blade has faced challenges.

Last month, a blade fractured on one of GE’s Haliade-X turbines at the Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts, temporarily closing beaches. A blade also failed at Dogger Bank — the world’s largest offshore wind farm — earlier in the year, an incident GE Vernova later blamed on “an installation error.”

Dogger Bank, developed by SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn, announced the “blade failure” Thursday. No one was hurt in the incident and the area has been restricted. The company declined to answer further questions.

GE Vernova said in a statement that the Dogger Bank blade incident occurred during commissioning — which generally means the process of bringing the turbine online.

The transformation of the energy sector.

Policy. Science. Business.

Congress. Legislation. Politics.

The leader in energy and environment news.

Late-breaking news.

© POLITICO, LLC

• Renewables/Technology

UK looks to revitalise its offshore wind sector

Last year, the UK’s offshore wind ambitions were setback when its renewable auction – Allocation Round 5 or AR5 – failed to attract any new projects, a first for what had been a successful Contracts for Difference scheme.

In response (and given the importance to offshore wind to meeting the UK’s net zero by 2050 target), this year the maximum strike price for successful projects under the Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions (AR6) was lifted 66 per cent to GBP73/MWh (around $141) while the strike price for floating offshore wind projects was increased by 52 per cent to GBP176/MWh (approximately $340) [i] . The AR5 strike price was set at GBP44/MWh ($85). The auction ran into trouble given the significant increase in project costs caused by inflationary pressures and supply chain issues.

The new UK Government, which committed itself to an ambitious offshore wind target of 55 GW by 2030, has also announced a significantly increased budget for the auctions. It set this year’s budget at GBP1.5 billion ($2.9 billion) for the latest renewable energy auction, more than 50 per cent up on the previous budget.  Of that, GBP1.1 billion ($2.1 billion) has been earmarked for offshore wind projects in the latest auction (Allocation Round 6, or AR6). The offshore wind budget available for AR6 is higher than all previous CfD rounds combined.

Floating offshore wind and other emerging technologies will receive £165 million additional support, increasing the budget for these technologies to £270 million ($524). This is a 61 per cent increase. 

The AR6 auctions opened in March and the successful contracts are expected to be announced next month. These projects are expected to be delivered by 2027/28 and 2028/29. The next two auctions, AR6 and AR7, are seen as critical to reaching the 2030 offshore wind target. The UK government has previously described offshore wind as “central” to meeting its electricity decarbonisation targets . But despite these new measures, it will not be easy to reach.

Considered a world leader in offshore wind, the UK has 15GW of operational capacity in 2023 from 45 wind farms, accounting for more than 20 per cent of global offshore wind capacity.  An important ingredient in its push for offshore is its lack of land mass and lower levels of alternative renewables such as solar in comparison to a country like Australia. Until it hit a wall in the last auction, offshore wind energy had grown steadily, while prices had continually fallen, supported by the UK Cfd auctions.

Figure 1: UK Offshore grid connected wind capacity by year (annual change)

Source: The Crown Estate Offshore Wind Report 2023

Good Results

Launched in 2014, the CfD scheme gives projects a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate and is intended to give companies investment certainty and confidence.

Until last year’s auction, the CfD mechanism had driven rapid cost reductions for offshore wind projects. In 2022 the price achieved was GBP37.35/MWh (2012 prices), 70 per cent lower than the first CfD auction held in 2015 [ii] . This made offshore wind cheaper than onshore wind, solar and tidal energy, according to the UK Government. Until AR5, there had been strong competition for the contracts with investors seeing value in the revenue security they provided, which translated into easier access to low-cost project financing [iii] .

As a result of the success of the auctions, offshore wind now accounts for up to 17 per cent of total UK electricity generated, including 13GW of committed capacity. These are projects that are either under construction or that have government support on offer. The UK’s Crown Estate Report 2023 on offshore wind indicates there is a further potential pipeline of offshore projects with a capacity of 51GW categorised as under development or in pre-planning.

Figure 2:  UK Offshore wind project capacity

Note: 50 GW was the 2030 target set under the British Energy Security Strategy 2022. The Labour Government has since committed to a new target of 55 GW.

Source: The Crown Estate Offshore Wind report 2023.

In contrast to the success of earlier auctions, last year’s iteration, AR5, resulted in no bids for new projects, which was attributed to a failure to adjust the administrative strike price to reflect substantial increases in supply chain costs that had emerged and which the government had been warned about (see EnergyInsider Cost storm hits UK offshore wind .)

Setting Targets

In 2019 the UK targeted 30GW of offshore wind by 2030 – this was under the Offshore Wind Sector Deal signed by the UK Government and the Offshore Wind Industry Council.  The ambition was subsequently increased to 50GW by 2030 under the British Energy Security Strategy 2022 to help meet the net zero emissions by 2050 under the Climate Change Act 2008. To help achieve the bigger target, in 2022 the UK Government announced it would increase the frequency of the CfD auctions to every year rather than every two years.

The new Labour Government, which came into office in July, committed to increasing this to 55GW by 2030, with at least 5GW of floating offshore wind [iv] . According to the Committee on Climate Change [v] , a statutory body established under the Climate Change Act, an estimated 75GW of offshore wind could be needed to meet the net zero target.  In its July 2024 report [vi] on progress, the Committee noted annual offshore wind installations will have to increase threefold compared to the average rate seen since the start of the decade to hit the original 50GW target. One of its recommendations was to ensure funding and auction design for the AR6 and AR7 auctions are appropriate to deliver the 5GW of offshore wind target. In terms of capacity, it will require more than 5GW to be added each year on average. As seen in Figure 2, the highest annual increase in capacity has been 2.4GW it is a rate not achieved to date in any year.

The Committee noted the low levels of offshore deployment in 2023, coupled with the failed AR5 auction for offshore wind, posed a real risk to the Government’s renewables targets.

It also noted the failure of last year’s auction (AR5) to procure any additional offshore wind capacity had “set back progress in an area that had previously been scaling up quickly. It is crucial that the next two allocation rounds get deployment rates back on track.”

There were some estimates that without increasing the budget for the auctions, they would only be able to support around 3.5GW.

What else can be done?

To support more offshore wind projects, in July the UK Government announced a partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate. The Crown Estate is responsible for the seabed in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, while the Crown Estate Scotland owns and manages the seabed in Scottish territorial waters and adjacent areas of the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone [vii] .

The Crown Estate has a £16 billion ($31 billion) portfolio of land and seabed and estimates the partnership will support up to 20-30GW of new offshore wind developments reaching seabed lease stage by 2030 [viii] .

The partnership means the public sector will undertake additional early development work for offshore wind projects.  In its statement, the UK Government said: “This will ensure that future offshore wind development has lower risk for developers, enabling projects to build out faster after leasing and crowding in private sector investment.”

It also means The Crown Estate can now borrow money, leveraging the seabed lease fees it charges developers to raise capital, according to industry group WindEurope. “This allows it to invest in the UK wind energy supply chain which will include much-needed port infrastructure and additional manufacturing capacity.”

We now await the success or otherwise of the new prices and other measures undertaken to achieve the UK’s ambitious offshore wind targets.

[i] Introduction to Allocation Round 6 Online event (cfdallocationround.uk)

[ii] Offshore wind - great.gov.uk international

[iii] Blown away, CfDRound 3 delivers record low price for offshore wind (kpmg.com)

[iv] Make-Britain-a-Clean-Energy-Superpower (labour.org.uk)

[v] About the Climate Change Committee - Climate Change Committee (theccc.org.uk)

[vi] Progress in reducing emissions 2024 Report to Parliament - Climate Change Committee (theccc.org.uk)

[vii] Offshore wind - great.gov.uk international

[viii] New Great British Energy partnership launched to turbocharge energy independence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Related Analysis

Dunkelflaute writ large - may 2024.

In the latter half of May 2024 there was an extended wind drought that primarily affected the major wind generating regions of the National Electricity Market. What impact did it have on the performance of variable renewable energy (VRE) generators during this period, and does it point to a need for greater geographical dispersion of wind assets? We take a look.

Energy transition understanding limited: Surveys

Since Graham Richardson first proposed a 20 per cent reduction in Australia’s greenhouse gas emission levels in 1988, climate change and Australia’s energy transition has been at the forefront of government policies and commitments. However, despite more than three decades of climate action and debate in Australia, and energy policy taking centre stage in the political arena over the last decade, a reporting has found confusion and hesitation towards the transition is common among voters. We took a closer look.

Consumer Energy Resources: The next big thing?

The Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap has just been endorsed by Energy and Climate Change Ministers. It is considered by government to be the next big reform for the energy system and important to achieving the AEMO’s Integrated System Plan (ISP). Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, recognises the key will be “making sure that those consumers who have solar panels or a battery or an electric vehicle are able to get maximum benefit out of it for themselves and also for the grid”. There’s no doubt that will be important; equally there is no doubt that it is not simple to achieve, nor a certainty. With the grid intended to serve customers, not the other way around, customer interests will need to be front and centre as the roadmap is rolled out. We take a look.

Send an email with your question or comment, and include your name and a short message and we'll get back to you shortly.

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Second turbine blade failure hits world’s largest offshore wind farm, in fresh blow to GE Vernova

• Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
• Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
• Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
• Share via Email Share via Email

A wind turbine blade failure been reported at the site of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the first phase of the massive 3.6GW Dogger Bank project in the North Sea off the coast of the UK.

The project’s developers said in a statement that they were “aware of a blade failure” that occurred on the morning of August 22 on an installed 13MW Haliade-X turbine at the Dogger Bank A offshore wind farm, which is currently under construction.

“In line with safety procedures, the surrounding marine area has been restricted and relevant authorities notified. No one was injured or in the vicinity at the time the damage was sustained,” the statement says .

“We are working closely with the turbine manufacturer, GE Vernova, which has initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident. Further updates will be issued in due course as more information becomes available.”

Dogger Bank is a 50:50 joint venture between Equinor and SSE Renewables comprising three 1.2GW offshore wind farms located about 130km from the Yorkshire Coast, on a large sandbank in the North Sea.

The incident marks the second blade failure for Dogger Bank A, after an incident at the beginning of May. For GE Vernova, it is the third incident in a matter of months involving of company’s Haliade-X turbines , including the failure and detachment of a blade at the 800MW Vineyard Wind project – the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm to be built in the United States.

The 13MW Haliade-X, at one point billed by GE as the most powerful in the world with full certifications, features a power rating covering 12-14.7MW, a 220-meter rotor and a 107-meter blade. “It has also received independent certification, making it a proven and bankable technology for customers seeking financing,” GE Vernova says.

Early investigations of the US incident suggested the blade failure was due to a manufacturing fault – and the US-headquartered GE Vernova has since confirmed this, and committed to reinspect all of the blades made at a factory in Canada that has supplied Vineyard Wind 1.

“We have identified a material deviation, or a manufacturing deviation, in one of our factories that through the inspection or quality assurance process, we should have identified,” the company’s CEO Scott Strazik said in an earnings call in late July .

“Because of that, we’re going to use our existing data and reinspect all of the blades that we have made for offshore wind and for context in this factory in Gaspé, Canada where the material deviation existed, we’ve made about 150 blades, so that gives you an indication and context of the work ahead.”

But Strazik also told investors and analysts that there was no indication of an engineering design flaw in the blade, nor any evidence of a connection to the May Dogger Bank A incident.

“We have not identified information indicating an engineering design flaw in the blade or information of a connection with the blade event we experienced in an Offshore Wind project in the UK, which was caused by an installation error out at sea,” he said.

The cause or extent of this week’s blade failure at Dogger Bank A is not yet known.

The wind industry has been engaged in a relentless race to deliver turbines with ever increasing generation capacity, as projects grow in their ambition to keep pace with the urgent task of electricity grid decarbonisation.

China’s Goldwind has had a 16MW turbine in operation since the end of last year and fellow China outfit Mingyang last month completed construction of a 16.6MW twin-rotor floating wind turbine platform dubbed OceanX. German renewables giant Siemens Gamesa is reportedly planning to produce a 21MW wind turbine in a bid to compete with its Chinese rivals.

But the battle of the megawatts has pushed the limits of wind generation technologies and tested the economic feasibility of some companies faced with growing maintenance and repair bills.

In January 2023, Siemens Gamesa revealed that faulty components had blown a €472 million hole in its December quarterly result , and in June adjusted up the bill to fix its troubled wind division to more than €1 billion ($1.6 billion), as it scrambled to get on top of high turbine failure rates.

By November of last year, the German government had agreed to bail the energy giant out to the tune of €7.5 billion as part of a larger €15 billion package designed to help the company overcome ongoing turmoil in its wind turbine unit.

Articles for you

Grid Connections 2024: Who’s going where in Australia’s energy transition

“Purely phenomenal:” AEMO says world is watching as rooftop PV leads surge to 100pct renewables

Sun Cable still weighing tech options as it lays plans for world’s biggest renewable project

“Energy transition in real time:” Texas grid hits demand records, and for solar and battery storage

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Victoria lays out plan for 95 pct renewables, with no coal, not much gas and a big lift in demand

Origin cancels two solar projects due to rising costs and “unfavourable conditions”, new rules change game for evs and home batteries, but won’t give power to the people, queensland coal giant buys construction-ready wind farm once rejected by federal coalition.

Energy Insiders Podcast: The search for equity

Future Made in Australia: A plan to super-charge renewables, or a stalking horse for gas expansion?

A near 100 per cent renewable grid is readily achievable and affordable

Get up to 3 quotes from pre-vetted solar (and battery) installers..

T: 01590 677955

• Nimbus Coupé Series
• Nimbus WTC Series
• Paragon Yachts
• https://www.axoparuk.com
• AXOPAR CONFIGURATORS
• Boats in Stock

Pre-Owned Power & Sail

• Nimbus Spares
• About Nimbus Boats UK
• Offshore News

Nimbus 495 Coupé ‘The Voyager’

Nimbus 305 Coupé

Nimbus 305 Drophead

Nimbus 365 Coupé

Nimbus 405 Coupé

Nimbus 405 Flybridge

• Nimbus Nova --> -->