Scottish ministers have granted offshore consent for the 2GW West of Orkney offshore wind farm off north Scotland.
The ruling follows a favourable recommendation from the Marine Directorate licensing operations team.
West of Orkney is now the first ScotWind scheme to hold both offshore consent and onshore planning permission, according to the developers TotalEnergies, Corio and RIDG.
The fixed-foundation array will deploy up to 125 turbines about 30km west of Orkney and 25km north of Sutherland.
Project director Stuart Macauley said the wind farm could power two million homes.
He said construction would trigger “significant investment” in supply chains, ports, harbours and skilled jobs.
Macauley thanked government officials, stakeholders and suppliers for “working so proactively” toward the approval.
He said the decision shows industry and government share a commitment to growing offshore wind in Scotland.
Macauley added that clarity on transmission charges, market reform and future CfD rules is vital before investors commit to build.
The Highland Council granted in-principle consent for the underground export cables and substation in June 2024.
In March 2025 the council said it had no objection to the offshore application lodged with Scottish ministers.
Surveys for the marine licence and Electricity Act submission ran for more than two and a half years.
The developers have launched several regional initiatives.
These include a £1 million R&D programme led by EMEC, a £900 000 education drive run by UHI and a £125 000 Fit 4 Renewables scheme with ORE Catapult.
The 2GW project was awarded a ScotWind lease in 2022 and eyes first power later this decade.