Buchan Offshore Wind has submitted offshore consent applications to Scottish Ministers for its proposed floating wind farm northeast of Fraserburgh.
The project, secured in the ScotWind leasing process, would have a capacity of close to 1GW and is due online in 2033.
Up to 70 turbines are planned, offering potential to power more than one million homes.
Buchan Offshore Wind, which is being developed by a consortium of BayWa r.e., Elicio and BW Ideol, said development could deliver more than £900m to Scotland’s manufacturing sector and supply chain, with 2900 jobs at the peak of construction and nearly 300 ongoing during operation.
BW Ideol’s patented Damping Pool substructure has been identified as the preferred foundation option, with manufacturing proposed at the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility on the Moray Firth.
The project is engaging with north-east ports to identify an operations and maintenance base.
Project director Clare Lavelle (pictured) said: “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 added: “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.