West of Orkney first ScotWind project to submit offshore consent application
The West of Orkney Windfarm has reached a major milestone by submitting comprehensive offshore consent applications to the Scottish Government for a proposed offshore windfarm that promises to reshape and reinvigorate Scotland’s supply chain.
Last year, the West of Orkney Windfarm secured the development rights to an area of seabed from Crown Estate Scotland in the highly competitive ScotWind leasing process to bring forward an offshore windfarm 30km west of the Orkney mainland and 25km north of the Sutherland coast.
The project will have up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations, an expected capacity of around two gigawatts and aims to deliver first power in 2029. It is being developed by a joint venture comprising Corio Generation, TotalEnergies and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG).
The West of Orkney Windfarm is the first ScotWind project to have applied for consent, having achieved this milestone only 20 months after being awarded the site.
Mark Giulianotti, Head of Europe at Corio Generation and Chairman of the West of Orkney Windfarm said: “The West of Orkney Windfarm is a landmark project that will make a huge contribution towards meeting the renewable energy needs of Scotland. Working with our partners, we will develop a world-leading offshore windfarm that will help decarbonise the Scottish economy and play a vital role in the growth and prosperity of local communities.
“For this project to be the first to submit an application for consent as part of the ScotWind programme is a great achievement, and a real testament to the expertise of the project team and the ongoing collaboration between Corio and our consortium partners, TotalEnergies and RIDG.
“The application outlines a commitment to safeguarding the marine environment – including a biodiversity enhancement plan – and highlights a proactive approach to engaging positively with local communities and creating a positive legacy for generations to come.”
The submission includes applications for consent under the Electricity Act 1989 and marine licence applications under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. Accompanying these is an extensive suite of assessments based on survey data collected over two and a half years.
The West of Orkney Windfarm
The West of Orkney Windfarm is being developed around 30km off the west coast of Orkney and around 25km from the north Sutherland coast. With an expected capacity of around 2GW, and first power scheduled for 2029, the project will be capable of powering the equivalent of more than two million homes.
The West of Orkney Windfarm lies wholly within the “N1” Plan Option, which is one of 15 areas around Scotland which the Scottish Government considered suitable for the development of commercial scale offshore windfarms. The Scottish Government published the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in October 2020 following over two years of extensive analysis, consideration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.
In January 2022 the consortium was successful in securing an Option Agreement from Crown Estate Scotland for the project in the ScotWind leasing process.
The West of Orkney Windfarm has a grid connection agreement with National Grid for a connection in Caithness. Additionally, the project partners are exploring an option to power the Flotta Hydrogen Hub. There is the potential for both power export options to be utilised.
Read this story in full on the West of Orkney website: https://www.westoforkney.com/news/first-scotwind-project-submit-offshore-consent-application
For full details please visit: https://www.westoforkney.com/
About Corio Generation
Corio Generation is a specialist offshore wind business dedicated to harnessing renewable energy worldwide. With a unique blend of sector-leading expertise and deep access to long-term capital, we work closely with our partners in the creation and management of projects from origination, development and construction, and into operations.
Corio has one of the world’s largest offshore wind project pipelines with more than 30 GW in development across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Our project portfolio spans established and emerging markets, as well as floating and fixed-foundation technologies. These next generation offshore wind projects will help form the backbone of the net-zero global energy system while meeting the energy needs of communities and corporate offtakers sustainably, reliably, safely and responsibly.
Corio Generation is a portfolio company of Macquarie Asset Management operating on a standalone basis. For more information visit www.coriogeneration.com and follow us on Twitter @CorioGeneration
About RIDG
RIDG – Renewable Infrastructure Development Group – is an independent, specialised offshore wind project development company with the knowledge and experience to identify and deliver high quality consented assets for strategic partners to build and operate.
RIDG presents a simpler, leaner and more flexible approach to project development, one that draws upon the strengths of both established and emerging suppliers to deliver projects safely, efficiently and cost effectively.
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.