The project builds upon a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study supported by Scottish Enterprise in 2025, which confirmed the technical viability of the company’s Floating Mooring System (FMS).
Floating offshore wind is expected to play a major role in helping the UK achieve its net zero ambitions by allowing turbines to operate in deeper waters, where wind resources are stronger and more consistent. However, installation and maintenance remain significantly more expensive and technically challenging than for fixed-bottom turbines, creating a major barrier to large-scale deployment.
T12’s innovative system is designed to improve maintenance options, access, and operational windows for floating wind turbines—allowing major maintenance work to be carried out more safely and efficiently while reducing reliance on heavy-lift vessels and lengthy offshore operations.
Building on the original FEED study, the latest project will refine the design, improve structural efficiency, reduce material requirements, and advance the technology towards commercial deployment.
It will also support the development of an integrated ecosystem of ship-based installation and maintenance tools, including heave-compensated systems capable of handling blades, nacelles, and generators. T12 believes the approach could help create a more standardized and cost-effective maintenance model for floating wind farms.
Graham Melroy, Director at T12 Engineering, said: “When major components fail, operators often have little choice other than to mobilize large and costly specialist vessels or tow turbines back to shore. Both approaches are expensive, time-consuming, and heavily weather-dependent.
“Our system will create a safer, more efficient and more predictable approach to maintenance while significantly reducing costs. We estimate it could save £2.7 million per turbine over their operational lifetime.”
Fellow T12 Director Andrew Hughes added: “The Scottish Enterprise-supported FEED study demonstrated the concept is technically viable. This latest support from OWGP allows us to take the next step towards commercialization.
“As floating wind projects move further offshore and continue to increase in scale, the industry needs new approaches that improve safety, reduce costs, and minimize turbine downtime. We believe the Floating Mooring System can help overcome some of the biggest challenges facing floating offshore wind.”
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to strengthen the UK’s offshore wind supply chain by supporting the development of innovative technologies and capabilities.
T12 Engineering delivers engineering services across the energy and industrial sectors from offices in Teesside, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Oslo, supporting clients throughout the UK and internationally.
