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Diabierna, 17 November 2023 AWEMainta INTERNATIONAL 37

UK Boosts Offshore Wind Subsidies nologies, including a 30% uplift for solar farms.

by 66% to Revive Struggling Sector
While the industry welcomed the move, it’s important to

note that any increase in subsidies will eventually be borne
by households, who are already grappling with high energy
bills. Developers such as Ørsted and Scottish Power praised
the government’s decision, seeing it as a positive signal for

the future of offshore wind in the UK.

Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas Wind Systems, a major
wind turbine maker, described the move as an “important

first step towards restoring investor confidence and getting
A bid to rejuvenate the offshore wind sector grappling with projects back on track,” emphasizing its potential to lower
soaring costs, the UK government has announced a substan- power prices in the UK.
tial increase of up to two-thirds in subsidies for offshore wind

developers. The move aims to reignite interest in new proj- The failed auction round in September, where not a single
ects after developers avoided the last auction, citing insuf- bid was submitted for an offshore wind project, underscored
ficient subsidies. the challenges faced by the sector. Developers argued that
the maximum strike price of £44 per MWh was insuffi-

The maximum price available in the upcoming auction for cient to counter the surge in global industry costs. The new
state contracts to construct offshore wind farms will be 66% subsidies, with a maximum strike price of £73 per MWh for
higher than in the previous 2023 bidding round. This deci- offshore contracts, aim to address these concerns.
sion comes as a response to concerns raised by developers

about the inadequacy of subsidies in the last auction. With the UK government targeting a nearly fourfold increase
Claire Coutinho, the energy secretary, acknowledged the in offshore wind capacity to 50GW by 2030, the rapid devel-
“global challenges” impacting offshore wind and emphasized opment of projects becomes crucial. The next auction
that the enhanced auction terms aim to foster the develop- round is scheduled for next year, with results expected to

ment of “homegrown clean energy.” The government is also be announced in September, reflecting the government’s
set to increase the maximum price for other renewable tech- commitment to advancing its renewable energy goals.

High-Flying Escape:

Horse Breaks Free on Boeing 747, Forces U-Turn

A Boeing 747 cargo jet en route from 20 tonnes of fuel “east of Nantucket”

New York to Belgium faced an unex- to adjust the plane’s weight.
pected twist when a horse managed to
escape its stall mid-flight, prompting While the method of the horse’s escape
the plane to make a U-turn at 30,000 remains unclear, it was evident that the tation category, where different-sized

feet (9,144 meters). The pilot of Air animal was unrestrained upon landing. containers cater to first-class, busi-
Atlanta Icelandic flight 4592 reported The pilot confirmed the situation, ness class, and economy options for
the live animal on board, emphasizing stating, “On the ramp, yes. We have a the animals.
the challenge of securing the loose horse in problem, in difficulty.”

horse. This incident echoes a similar event in
The flight eventually resumed later August when a bear managed to free
Approximately 90 minutes into the the same day, successfully reaching itself from a crate on an Iraqi Airways
journey, the decision was made to Liege Airport on Friday morning, as flight from Dubai to Baghdad. Such

return to John F Kennedy International reported by FlightRadar24. The reason occurrences highlight the challenges
Airport. The pilot, in communication for transporting the horse remains and surprises that can unfold when
with air traffic control, expressed the unknown, adding a layer of mystery transporting live animals on aircraft,
need for a veterinarian to meet the to the airborne escapade. Speculation showcasing the need for secure and

aircraft upon landing. The horse’s esca- points to the possibility of the horse reliable containment methods during
pade led to an unusual request to dump being part of the racehorse transpor- flights.