ScottishPower, part of the Iberdrola Group, has been awarded the seabed rights to develop three new offshore windfarms off the coast of Scotland – including two new floating windfarms being developed in conjunction with Shell – as part of Crown Estate Scotland's ScotWind Leasing.

The projects – with a total capacity of 7GW – will more than treble ScottishPower's existing offshore wind pipeline from 3.1GW to an incredible 10.1GW, significantly boosting the company's position in the UK's offshore wind market. Globally Iberdrola now has over 35GW of operational capacity, pipeline, and early-stage developments in offshore wind.

The new Scottish projects, which have the potential to create enough clean energy to power almost 8.5 million homes – more than three times the number of homes in Scotland – comprise:

• MarramWind joint venture (in partnership with Shell) off the north-east coast of Scotland (3GW floating)

• CampionWind joint venture (in partnership with Shell) off the east coast of Scotland (2GW floating)

• MachairWind project off the coast of Islay (ScottishPower only 2GW fixed)

The MarramWind and CampionWind sites, which are in deeper waters than the Islay site, will be among the world's first large-scale floating offshore windfarms, heralding the start of a new era for floating wind that will kick start a new green global offshore industry – with Scotland and the UK leading the way.

Iberdrola's Chairman and CEO, Ignacio Galán, said: "Offshore wind is essential for a net zero world as it delivers large volumes of clean energy at competitive prices, as well as boosting industrial development and creating significant employment.

-- Advertisement --

"Iberdrola is a global leader in offshore, with investments of more than 5.5 billion euros already delivered in the UK, Europe and the US. By 2030, we aim to invest 30 billion euros delivering projects in existing markets, as well as new markets, such as Asia.

"The UK is where our first offshore projects were built, and it is home to our global centre of excellence. In total, 3 billion euros of investment has been made in UK offshore, delivering 1,000MW of capacity. The ScotWind award increases our pipeline to 10,000MW, which could see investment of 30 billion euros, and demonstrates our commitment to Scotland and the UK

"The significant investment opportunities for this technology is also encouraging new partnerships, such as the one we have created with Shell. This builds on other partnerships we have developed globally with companies such as Total and Macquarie."

Online supply chain registration portals for all three projects are now live, giving organisations the chance to get involved in working with ScottishPower and Shell to shape the next chapter for the offshore wind industry.

Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: "It's absolutely brilliant to get the green light to develop new floating technology in partnership with Shell, while expanding our renewables presence in Argyll and Bute into the offshore industry. Offshore wind is set to become the backbone of the UK's energy mix and will do the heavy lifting as we ramp up the production of clean electricity on the journey to Net Zero. Our ScotWind projects will play a massive part in that and make the best use of our fantastic natural resources to help power the UK's transition from fossil fuels to renewables and a better future, quicker.

"They will also deliver investment, support jobs and boost supply chains – particularly in areas like the north-east that play a key role in the energy sector – opening up immense opportunities for businesses and institutions across the country. This is a pivotal moment that will reinforce the UK's position as the global leader in offshore wind and boost the UK economy, with ScottishPower right at the heart of that transformation. We look forward to working with Shell and our supply chain partners to make that happen – come and talk to us now."

Wael Sawan, Integrated Gas and Renewables and Energy Solutions Director at Shell, said: "Shell and ScottishPower can now look forward to generating floating wind power at significant scale in the UK to accelerate the country's transition towards net zero. Floating wind plays to our strengths in deeper offshore projects, and we are well placed to help advance the wider take-up of this important clean energy source. Renewable electricity will play an increasingly important role in our customer-focused strategy, as we provide more low-carbon products and services customers need for their own journey to net zero."