Buchan Offshore Wind has taken a significant step forward in its journey to develop a floating wind farm northeast of Fraserburgh, submitting offshore consent applications to Scottish Ministers. This project, secured through the ScotWind leasing process, aims to bring a capacity of nearly 1GW online by 2033, potentially powering over a million homes with up to 70 turbines.
The project’s development could inject over £900 million into Scotland’s manufacturing sector and supply chain, creating a peak of 2,900 jobs during construction and nearly 300 ongoing roles during operation. BW Ideol’s patented Damping Pool substructure has been chosen as the preferred foundation, with manufacturing slated for the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility on the Moray Firth. The project is also engaging with north-east ports to establish an operations and maintenance base.
Clare Lavelle, project director, emphasized the project’s vision: “Our vision is to develop a world-leading floating offshore windfarm that will deliver large-scale manufacturing in Scotland, support thousands of new jobs, and drive progress towards the UK’s and Scotland’s offshore wind targets.” She further noted the importance of the consent application submission, stating, “Submission of our offshore consent application is a critical milestone in unlocking the significant inward investment this ambitious project will bring, and we would encourage everyone with an interest in the project to view and comment on our application.”
The application covers consent under the Electricity Act 1989 and marine licence applications under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. Later this year, Buchan Offshore Wind will also submit a planning application for onshore works to Aberdeenshire Council, covering an underground cable route and grid connection at Peterhead substation.
This development could significantly shape the offshore wind sector, particularly in floating wind technology. The project’s focus on large-scale manufacturing and job creation in Scotland could set a precedent for future projects, emphasizing the economic benefits of renewable energy investments. Moreover, the engagement with local ports and communities highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement in the successful deployment of such large-scale infrastructure. As the sector moves towards achieving offshore wind targets, projects like Buchan Offshore Wind could play a pivotal role in driving innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.