Crown Estate Scotland has selected Irish renewable energy firm Mainstream Renewable Power, together with Ocean Winds, as the preferred bidder for a 1.8GW wind farm site offshore from the Shetland Islands.
The appointment gives Mainstream Renewable Power and Ocean Winds the opportunity to enter an option agreement for the site, which is deemed suitable for an offshore wind farm.
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Mainstream CEO Mary Quaney said: “This is a very significant win for Mainstream that plays to our key strengths as a global leader in floating offshore wind technology, as well as our track record in offshore wind project development.
“In Scotland, we have already developed the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm, and we now look forward to working with all stakeholders to further develop and strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind industry and help position it as a global leader in floating offshore wind power.”
The offshore wind farm site will have the capacity to power more than two million homes and offset three million tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
Mainstream Renewable Power and Ocean Winds will hold equal ownership in the project and intend to develop it ‘on an industrial scale’.
Ocean Winds CEO Bautista Rodriguez said: “We are proud of the strength that Ocean Winds and Mainstream Renewable Power teams have combined to secure this major new project.
“As Ocean Winds, we are looking forward to using our more than ten-year expertise as a pioneer in floating offshore wind farms, from development to operation, to progress this large floating project awarded with Mainstream, as well as the 500MW floating project also awarded to Ocean Winds during this clearing round.”
Ocean Winds was created in 2020 as a 50-50 joint venture by EDP Renewables and Engie.
Last month, Mainstream Renewable Power and Aker Offshore Wind agreed to merge the two business entities to create an offshore wind company with a 27GW portfolio.
