1 August 2026
WIND-PROLIFE Research Programme officially launched
The five-year WIND-PROLIFE Fellowship Research Programme officially commenced on 1 August 2026 at the University of Birmingham. Supported through a £1.7 million EPSRC Open Fellowship, together with substantial contributions from project partners, WIND-PROLIFE is one of the largest UKRI-funded research projects dedicated specifically to extending the service life of offshore wind infrastructure. The programme is led by Professor Ali Mehmanparast and will run until July 2031. WIND-PROLIFE aims to improve the durability, structural integrity, and long-term sustainability of offshore wind turbine support structures. Through an integrated programme of laboratory testing, advanced numerical modelling, and data-driven life-cycle assessment, the research will investigate the key factors influencing long-term structural performance, including manufacturing imperfections, residual stresses, corrosion-fatigue damage, and material ageing, while developing effective strategies for life enhancement. Discussions are currently underway with the programme’s academic and industrial partners to finalise the detailed research roadmap, experimental test plans, numerical modelling framework, and data-analysis strategies. This collaborative planning process will ensure that the programme remains closely aligned with the evolving needs of the sector and directly addresses the most pressing technical and operational challenges currently facing the offshore wind industry.

