BUCHAN Offshore Wind has officially opened its office in Glasgow city centre as it continues developing a floating offshore wind farm 75km northeast of Fraserburgh.
Set to comprise up to 70 floating turbines on concrete foundations manufactured in Scotland, the wind farm will generate enough clean energy to power over one million homes.
The build of the wind farm is also expected to create 2,900 jobs during construction and deliver more than £2 billion in economic value to Scotland over its lifetime.
The new office will serve as a central base for project delivery, stakeholder engagement, industry and supply-chain collaboration, and the continued progression of onshore and offshore development activities.
The opening of the new office was marked with a visit by UK Government energy minister, Michael Shanks MP. Speaking at the opening he said, “I’m delighted that Buchan Offshore Wind has opened a new base in Glasgow. It’s a real marker of momentum in our clean power mission to back good jobs and supply‑chain opportunities, bringing more of that work and expertise together here in Scotland.
“With plans to develop floating foundation manufacturing capacity in the north of Scotland later this decade, this is exactly the kind of long‑term industrial vision we want to see, strengthening energy security and supporting communities as we build a clean powered future.”
Clare Lavelle, project director at Buchan Offshore Wind, added, “The United Kingdom – and Scotland in particular – are showing that we can be genuine global clean energy leaders. With our deep waters, powerful winds, range of ports and decades of offshore expertise operating in the North Sea, it’s clear Scotland is the natural home for this new global industry to develop and grow.
“Buchan Offshore Wind is a pioneering development – one that showcases how Scotland can harness its natural advantages to create a globally competitive floating offshore wind industry. Today’s office opening marks the next step in that journey.
“Recent global events have shown that energy security is economic security. Homegrown floating offshore wind is now essential national infrastructure – providing secure and stable power for households and industry across the UK.”
During the visit minister Shanks met Glasgow-based team members in engineering and consenting and community benefits roles, hearing about the skills and innovation driving the project. He also met with ports and supply chain companies preparing to deliver for the significant pipeline of floating offshore wind projects in Scottish waters.
The minister was shown a model of BW Ideol’s patented Damping Pool – the floating foundation technology that will help launch serial production of floating concrete foundations in the north of Scotland early next decade.
Buchan Offshore Wind has set out a development timetable and commitment to manufacturing in Scotland, which is said to align with project partner BW Ideol’s proposed floating foundation manufacturing facility at Ardersier.
