T12 Engineering has secured significant grant funding from Scottish Enterprise to advance the development of a pioneering mooring system for floating wind turbines, potentially cutting installation times by half.

The innovative floating mooring system is designed specifically to simplify the deployment and maintenance of single spar floating wind turbines. By reducing weather-related delays and long-term operational costs, the technology aims to support Scotland's net-zero ambitions and bolster its position as a global leader in offshore wind innovation.

Current methods typically involve assembling floating wind turbines in sheltered waters before towing them to offshore sites for tethering to the seabed and connection to the electrical network – a process vulnerable to weather delays. T12 Engineering's design allows critical connections to be prepared in advance, enabling a faster, ‘plug and play' style installation once the turbine arrives on site.

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With a growing global pipeline of over 240GW in planned floating offshore wind projects, the technology holds significant export potential. T12 Engineering estimates that its system could save up to £1.95 million in towing vessel costs per turbine over a typical 20-year lifecycle during routine maintenance conditions.

The company, which operates from bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Teesside, was one of only 22 successful applicants out of 69 for grant funding under a Scottish Enterprise initiative focused on strengthening the country's offshore wind supply chain.

The funding will enable T12 to conduct a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study to assess the system's feasibility. Further development will involve close collaboration with academic and industrial partners within Scotland, contributing to regional economic growth and skills development. The results of the feasibility study are set to be showcased at a dedicated event in August 2025, where all grant-supported companies will present their findings.

Graham Melroy, a Director at T12 Engineering, said: "Securing this funding is a major step forward for our team and a strong endorsement of the innovation behind our concept. Our aim is to make offshore wind turbines faster to deploy and easier to maintain, driving down costs, and improving reliability, creating economic opportunities in Scotland and beyond."

Fellow Director Andy Hughes added: "We're excited to be pushing the boundaries of offshore engineering with a concept that not only improves project efficiency but also has the potential to support global demand for clean energy. Collaboration with Scottish industry and academia is central to developing the system further."