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Crown Estate Scotland has appointed Mainstream Renewable Power, a global company that produces renewable energy, and Ocean Winds, an international company that specializes in offshore wind energy, as preferred bidders for an area where there is potential for a 1.8 GW offshore wind farm. This area is located off the Shetland islands of Scotland. Ocean Winds and Mainstream are the preferred bidders and now have the chance to enter into an option arrangement for the site, which is approximately 100m deep and is well-suited for floating offshore wind. the site is located east of the Shetland Islands.
They share a 50-50 ownership and are committed to developing offshore floating wind in Scotland. This will create local jobs and potential opportunities in Scotland and the Shetland Islands. The site’s output will power more than two million homes each year and reduce carbon emissions by three million tonnes annually.
Mary Quaney, Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream, commented on the award and said that it was a significant win for Mainstream. This plays to our key strengths, as a global leader, in floating offshore winds technology, as well as our track record with offshore wind project development.
“We have developed the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland. We now look forward working with all stakeholders to develop and strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind industry, and position it to be a global leader for floating offshore wind power.” the CEO added.
Bautista Rodriguez (Ocean Winds’ Chief Executive Officer) commented on the partnership and said, “We are proud to be able to secure this new major project with the strength of Ocean Winds, Mainstream Renewable Power, and both teams. As Ocean Winds, we look forward to using our over 10-year experience as pioneers in floating offshore wind farm development and operation to advance this large floating project that was awarded Mainstream as well as the 500-MW floating project that Ocean Winds received during this clearing round. Both will be a major benefit to Shetland, Scotland, as well as a significant contribution to Net Zero.”
Mainstream and Aker Offshore Wind completed a merger to create a stronger company in renewable energy with a portfolio of more than 27 GW. Aker Offshore Wind’s engineering and technical strengths, as well as its early position in floating offshore wind, are combined with Mainstream’s proven project management methodology and global presence to unlock new opportunities around the world.
The company is currently developing multi-gigawatt offshore wind assets in markets such as Vietnam, Japan, Norway, Ireland, UK, Sweden and South Korea.
Mainstream, in its recent merger with Aker Offshore Wind has already partnered up with Ocean Winds to form KF Wind in South Korea. It is also in a consortium to bid for the forthcoming leasing round for floating winds at Utsira Nord, Norway. Ocean Winds and Mainstream are major shareholders in the largest floating wind technology provider Principle Power.
Ocean Winds was formed in 2020 as a 50-50 joint venture by ENGIE and EDP Renewables. With 950 MW of offshore wind capacity in operation at Moray East, and 882MW in the late development stage at MorayWest, Ocean Winds is one of Scotland’s most prominent developers. Ocean Winds won its ScotWind bid for the Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm in January 2022. It has a potential of up to 2GW.
