World first lab to protect the cyber security of floating offshore wind turbines
The new facility is based in Plymouth
Last updated 11th Nov 2025
Experts in Plymouth have unveiled the world's first cyber-security lab to protect floating offshore wind turbines.
The South West's expected to be one of the key areas for the new turbines as technology develops.
Dr Kimberly Tam, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and project lead, said: “Understanding the larger technological ecosystem in addition to the individual pieces is critical at a time like this, as we become more dependent on these technologies.
"This lab is focused on the cyber security of the entire offshore wind industry. That includes the offshore wind farms themselves but also the larger ecosystem of offshore monitoring and control, and AUVs that are likely to survey remote offshore infrastructure."
The Cyber-Resilience of Offshore Wind Networks (CROWN) Lab is the first dedicated offshore wind cyber security research, test and development facility anywhere in the world.
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP, as well as Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said: “It was a privilege to open the CROWN Lab. Plymouth is a city at the cutting edge of the development of floating offshore wind, and this new facility cements that position, supporting local jobs and opportunities.
The CROWN project was supported through a grant of £650,000 from the former Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.
Simon Cheeseman, South West Programme Manager from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said: “This facility is vital to help ensure cyber security for our offshore wind critical national infrastructure. It enables us to work with offshore wind stakeholders and cyber experts to practise scenarios and test protection systems to improve the resilience of the offshore and onshore operations the sector relies on.”
"Its development has also been carried out with close engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre which has been commissioned by UK Government to look at resilience across all energy systems."