Developed by the IMarEST's Offshore Renewables Special Interest Group (ORSIG), the updated guide highlights the meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) information required to support all phases of an Offshore Renewable (OR) energy project, through development and construction to ongoing operations and maintenance.

The guide is a tool for all those involved in OR, including project managers, structural engineers, surveyors and logistics personnel based within offshore renewable companies or support organisations and contractors.

"The Metocean Procedures Guide has been updated to reflect the emerging themes within the industry over the past 3 years, including increasing digitalisation, zero-subsidy and changing technology. The guide provides a concise strategy for enacting the metocean element of an OR project, emphasising the potential for cost-savings resulting from a careful and considered approach to metocean throughout the project lifecycle." Guide contributor and Co-Chair of the Offshore Renewables SIG, Zoe Roberts, Senior Metocean Analyst at Vattenfall Wind Power (UK).

Metocean is a technical engineering discipline that originated in the oil and gas sector in the late 1970s and is equally applicable to the OR sector. Metocean is primarily concerned with quantifying the effects of weather and sea conditions (specifically wind, wave, current and water level) and more broadly on the physical aspects of the water column (such as conductivity and temperature). The document draws on a breadth of experience gained from offshore wind developments on fixed structures, but the majority of the information can also be applied to emerging technologies, including floating wind, wave and tidal. Although it draws primarily on UK experience, the procedures described may be applied in other parts of the world taking into account relevant local standards.

"Effective use of established offshore best practice, coupled with the drive for innovation, is key to reducing the cost of offshore renewable energy. This guide includes an updated overview of numerous applicable standards and recommended practices. IMarEST’s Operational Oceanography Special Interest Group (OOSIG) are very pleased to support the development of this guide.” Guide contributor and Co-Chair of the Operational Oceanography SIG, Gus Jeans, Independent Metocean Consultant and Director at Oceanalysis Ltd.

As well as discussing key metocean considerations, recommended strategy, data sources and management, the document includes a concise list applicable standards and a glossary of terms.

"The updated guide addresses how metocean data should be stored so as to optimise its value through accessibility and visibility to stakeholders and to enable new applications such as Machine Learning for structural integrity." Guide contributor and member of the Operational Oceanography SIG, Mark Calverley, Managing Director at Blue Ocean Consulting Ltd.