The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland commissioned a report by the University of Aberdeen that explores the practical challenges and opportunities of co-locating offshore wind, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and oil and gas projects in UK waters.
The study – part of the Project Colocate initiative – finds that while co-location could drive cost efficiencies (e.g., shared surveys and joint vessel use), it also raises major technical obstacles such as monitoring CCS near wind farms, limited drilling access, and the need for cross-sector coordination. To address these issues, it recommends proactive planning, regulatory alignment, and early communication to enable coordinated and efficient development of these sectors.
Source: Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland.