Shell and ScottishPower launch joint plan for large-scale floating wind farm

3D rendering of a floating wind farm (Shutterstock)

SHELL and ScottishPower have launched a joint plans to create what they say will be the world’s first large-scale floating windfarm in Scotland.

The two firms said that, together, they provide the right ‘blend of skills and experience’ to successfully deliver such projects – with them each having decades of experience working offshore, as well as a significant presence in Scotland.

Floating offshore wind is suitable for use in deeper water zones, where fixed foundations aren’t feasible – with the two firms saying that this makes it ideal for Scottish waters. They added that such wind farms will become an ‘increasingly’ important part of the energy mix in the UK as more and more offshore wind power is brought onto the grid.

The proposal comes as part of the ScotWind leasing initiative, which grants property rights for seabed in Scottish waters for new commercial scale offshore wind project development. It forms part of Scotland’s ambitions to become net-zero by 2045.

ScottishPower CEO, Keith Anderson, said, “Scotland is the windiest country in Europe and has the biggest and most experienced offshore sector. Bringing ScottishPower and Shell’s collective knowledge, experience and expertise together means we’re perfectly placed to lead the way in developing large-scale offshore floating wind farms and creating a new green industry with massive potential for exporting our skills and experience globally and helping the UK decarbonise its energy generation.

“With just a few months until the COP26 UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow, ScotWind will help create a whole new industry in floating wind that will play a crucial role in putting the country on course for a cleaner and greener future.”

Shell UK country chair, David Bunch, added, “If our bid is successful, Shell and SPR are fully committed to working with Scottish communities and businesses to help develop supply chains and expertise which could make Scotland a world leader in floating wind. At Shell we continue to grow our capacity to generate, trade and supply cleaner power to our customers and to play our part in powering the UK to net zero.”