Spain-based Ocean Winds and Norway-based Aker Offshore Wind have together submitted bids totaling 6 GW for the development of floating offshore wind projects in the ScotWind leasing round. Earlier in July, the joint venture filed bids for six offshore wind farm sites in the Outer Moray Firth as part of the ScotWind process. Windfloat steel-based semi-submersible floaters will be used for the projects. This technology has been developed by Principle Power., a US floating wind expert in which Aker Offshore and Ocean Winds have a controlling share.
The collaboration is expected to create thousands of jobs and a significant boost for Scotland’s supply chain and economy through exportable technological innovation. The project is designed to enable businesses in Scotland to ramp up ahead of production, with a commitment to 40 per cent minimum supply chain content in Scotland and 60 per cent in the United Kingdom. Mapping and engaging have already resulted in agreements with suppliers to enable early investment priorities.
Invenergy and BW Offshore had also entered into a joint venture to develop up to 5.4 GW of offshore wind in Scotland as a part of the first ScotWind leasing round. The partnership entails the development of both floating and fixed foundation offshore wind projects off the Northeast Coast of Scotland. The venture is expected to attract heavy investments into Scotland and the UK supply Chain.
REGlobal Views: Scotland has become an attractive investment hotspot for large players with its massive potential for developing offshore wind farms. Further, its recent ScotWind offshore seabed leasing round has created a huge project pipeline for a decade.
