Ocean Winds and Aker Offshore Wind have submitted joint bids totalling 6GW of floating wind in the ScotWind leasing round.
Ahead of a conference in Aberdeen this week, the partnership revealed it has submitted bids as part of the ScotWind process for several sites in the Outer Moray Firth using floating devices to deliver 6GW of clean energy.
It would create thousands of jobs and deliver a “giant boost for Scotland’s supply chain and the economy with exportable technology innovation”, the pair said.
The project is designed to enable Scottish businesses to ramp up ahead of production, with a commitment to 40% minimum supply chain content in Scotland and 60% in the UK.
Mapping and engaging has already resulted in agreements with suppliers to enable early investment priorities.
The Floating Offshore Wind 2021 conference, hosted by RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables, will get underway in Aberdeen this week, where Ocean Winds and Aker Offshore Wind will outline their bid.
The partners would use steel-based semi-submersible floaters, using Principle Power’s Windfloat technology.
Ocean Winds is the developer behind Scotland’s largest wind farm, the 950MW Moray East facility.
Sian Lloyd-Rees, managing director of Aker Offshore Wind UK, said: “We can create thousands of highly-skilled local jobs through billions of pounds of investment in local supply chains and infrastructure.
“Our bid would deliver for the next generation by harnessing the green power and extraordinary potential of Scotland’s deepwater resources.
“Floating offshore wind is the next step in the renewable revolution, and we’re delighted to partner with Ocean Winds to unveil our ambitious plan for Scotland’s future.”
Dan Finch, managing director of Ocean Winds UK, said: “The transition to net zero means that we need to open new areas of the sea for offshore wind development.
“Our vision is leading the world’s commercial scale delivery of floating offshore wind in Scotland so that Scotland can lead the world in floating foundation manufacture and export.”