Ørsted plans to build a huge offshore wind farm at a site where BP is also planning a large carbon capture project. 

Those two projects are set to collide if both of them are initiated, leading to a dispute between the two companies, reports news agency Reuters after reviewing planning documents together with companies and authorities. 

With preliminary licenses awarded for both projects more than ten years ago, the crux of the matter is reportedly that the technological development was unclear at the time.

”Resolution of the conflict between the renewable technologies, and having a due process that determines whether a windfarm, carbon store or other source of energy has primacy in an area of overlap, is crucial if the UK is going to achieve its net-zero targets,” remarks geoscientist and director for Aberdeen University’s Centre of Energy Transition John Underhill.

Neither of the two companies is willing to stand down given that it will compromise their commercial prospects. BP would need to switch to a more expensive boat-free monitoring system, while Ørsted would need to cede part of the territory.

According to Reuters, the British government is aware of the technical difficulties tied to coexistence in the area.