Perceptions on Planning for Deployment of Floating Energy Islands

Abstract Offshore modular energy island infrastructure presents an opportunity for the decarbonization of power systems, ensuring the provision of clean energy, and accelerating the energy transition. Modular Energy Islands (MEIs) are considered an important enabler of the energy transition. This can be achieved through rapid development and deployment of innovative technological solutions, which, however, require the appropriate supporting Regulatory Frameworks and Marine Spatial Plans. This paper reviews International and EU legislation and the assessment of Marine Spatial Planning, along with the more detailed analysis of MSPs for countries addressing artificial energy islands. This set the scene for analysing planning for deployment, as well as barriers and challenges, opportunities, and risks, through the use of structured questionnaires for primary data collection. The questionnaires present the perception of the practitioners in this field, regarding the deployment of offshore energy, including the barriers, challenges, and opportunities perceived. This sets the scene to address barriers in planning for deployment, in resolving challenges, and in exploiting opportunities. The outcome of the questionnaire and its analysis support action towards Planning, which adequately addresses and allows for the deployment of offshore renewable energy installation and floating islands.