OWC and APEM Group partner on UK offshore wind decommissioning
Global renewable energy consultancy OWC and APEM Group, through its subsidiary GoBe Consultants Ltd (GoBe), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on delivering integrated technical solutions for offshore wind decommissioning in the UK.
The partnership brings together deep expertise in offshore wind engineering, environmental planning and consultancy to support UK clients in de-risking, planning and executing decommissioning campaigns with confidence.
The collaboration comes at a pivotal time for the UK offshore wind sector, with approximately 5 GW of UK offshore wind capacity expected to reach the end of its life in the early to mid-2030s, prompting owners to decide whether to repower or decommission their assets. Around 1 GW of RD1 capacity is expected to be decommissioned beginning in 2026–2027, with decommissioning campaigns forecasted to peak between 2032 and 2034.
“Offshore wind decommissioning is the next and inevitable frontier of the UK energy transition. As we accelerate deployment, we must also address how to safely and commercially decommission the UK’s first generation of assets. These campaigns are inherently complex, with significant technical, environmental and cost uncertainties.
As a non-productive cost, getting decommissioning right is critical not only for asset owners but also for the credibility of the wider industry. This partnership brings together the experience and technical depth needed to support clients across the full lifecycle, from early strategy through to delivery,” comments Cliff Pullen, Director of Asset Management and Investment at OWC.
Under the terms of the MoU, OWC and APEM Group will collaborate on a project-by-project basis, combining their respective skill sets to provide clients with an integrated, independent technical offering. This will support clients in de-risking and optimising decommissioning campaigns, enabling informed decision-making from the early-stage strategy and planning stages and helping to avoid regulatory delays and unforeseen costs.
The partnership combines OWC’s offshore wind engineering, project expertise, and environmental advisory with APEM Group’s environmental, consenting and regulatory capabilities, creating a unique end-to-end offering to support UK stakeholders across the full decommissioning lifecycle.
“Decommissioning is fast becoming a critical focus for the offshore wind sector, but it is not simply the end of a project lifecycle, it requires the same level of strategic planning, environmental consideration and technical integration as offshore development,” says Nikki Young, Associate Director at GoBe Consultants, and adds:
“We bring expertise in environmental assessment, consenting and regulatory strategy, helping clients navigate complex requirements while maintaining compliance and minimising risk. By partnering with OWC, we can integrate this with robust engineering and expert technical insight, giving clients a more complete view of decommissioning challenges and opportunities from the outset. This collaboration allows us to support more informed decision-making and deliver decommissioning approaches that are not only compliant but efficient and fit for the future of the UK offshore wind sector.”
At the launch of the partnership, from the left: Nikki Young, Associate Director at GoBe Consultants (part of APEM Group); Cliff Pullen, Director of Asset Management at OWC; Keith Lawton, Business Unit Director at APEM Group; Lara Lawrie, Director of Environment and Consents at OWC
OWC is part of Oslo-listed global consultancy group Aqualis ASA.
About APEM Group
APEM provides independent data-enabled intelligence and advisory services to its clients across a wide range of industries including water, energy and renewable power, oil and gas, ports and harbours, critical minerals and infrastructure, as well as to regulators and governments around the world.
By combining robust environmental data and advanced technology with deep scientific and technical expertise, APEM helps its clients understand risk, meet regulatory requirements and translate meaningful insights into actionable outcomes.
Safe, compliant and commercially viable UK offshore wind decommissioning: from strategy to execution
We help asset owners achieve safe and compliant decommissioning outcomes while protecting commercial value through efficient end-of-life planning and execution.