OCEAN WINDS looks forward to Moray West and Scotwind
- Moray East – Scotland’s biggest windfarm has exported first power to Scotland’s national grid via its new substation south of New Deer in Aberdeenshire on June 4 2021
- Future development of offshore wind in Scottish waters, will be enabled by Moray West, under development, and the upcoming ScotWind leasing process
Madrid 7 June 2021: Ocean Winds (OW), the result of 50-50 joint venture by EDP Renewables (EDPR) and ENGIE for offshore wind energy has celebrated commencing generation at Moray East (Scotland’s largest windfarm) and successful exporting of power to the grid by announcing its further intentions in the Moray Firth.
Ocean Winds (OW) has been developing offshore wind in the Moray Firth since EDPR won the rights to develop offshore wind in the Moray Firth in the UK’s 3rd round of offshore wind leasing in 2009. The sea-bed made available by the Crown Estate at the time was divided in two – Moray East and Moray West – to allow development of Moray East which had fewer constraints to take place first.
Ocean Winds is continuing its investment in Scotland through development activities in the Moray Firth.
Moray East is currently under construction in the Moray Firth. On completion later this year it will have a generation capacity of 950 MW. Project planning enabled generation to commence on June 4 – before all turbines have been installed.
Moray West has also been developed by Ocean Winds, having secured planning consent in 2019, and awaits award of a ‘Contract for Difference’, the Government contract which will enable construction of Moray West to commence.
Future development of offshore wind in Scottish waters, including the Moray Firth will be enabled by the ScotWind leasing process which closes on 16 July 2021, and will make new areas of Scottish seabed available for offshore wind development for the first time in a decade.
Spyros Martinis, CEO of OW, said that “After a decade of work and co-operation with communities and businesses across the North East of Scotland, First Generation is a proud and welcome achievement for all involved and represent one more step of Scotland’s energy transition path. But its just the start from the first few turbines from our first project, there is much more to come.
Grzegorz Gorski, COO of OW, comment: “Our mission is to lead the offshore wind into one of the main energy sources by delivering more efficient and sustainable wind energy solutions around the world and Morey East is a clear example of the success and innovation in this arena.”
Dan Finch, Managing Director of Ocean Winds UK Ltd said:
“Ocean Winds has a long term commitment to the Moray Firth. We have knowledge and expertise not just of our industry, but of the Moray Firth, and the diverse communities, industries and enterprises who are our neighbours. We have always regarded Moray East as our first project; Moray West is ‘shovel ready’. Beyond that, we are delighted that the Scotwind process, which is making new areas of seabed available, will enable us to go on working with enterprises across north-east Scotland to continue the development of offshore wind in the Moray Firth. Our commitment to the Moray Firth is long term and we look forward to Moray West and ScotWind which will create opportunities through the next decade”.
