Foundations for a rare, large-scale mooring line test rig are set to be installed at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult's Floating Wind Innovation Centre in Aberdeen, creating a key validation hub for floating offshore wind.

Developed in partnership with Apollo, the rig will deliver testing capability for large-scale synthetic mooring lines at a scale and functionality not currently available elsewhere, addressing a shortage of suitable facilities and tailored specifically to the floating wind sector.

Peter MacDonald, Head of Engineering at ORE Catapult, said: "A market-leading rig of this kind will create a game changing economic opportunity for Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland,

"Mooring line innovation is essential to address the specific requirements of floating offshore wind, including new materials, and this mooring line test rig will provide a catalyst for further investment in the region.

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"We are delighted to receive support from the Scottish Government and the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) for this project – supporting the growth of floating offshore wind and propelling us towards our Clean Power targets."

Phase one has secured £1.1m from the Scottish Government's Just Transition Fund and Energy Transition Zone (ETZ Ltd), including £500,000 from the Just Transition Fund. The initial works at the Hareness Road site will cover foundation installation, site clearance, drainage, a new access road and secure fencing, making the project shovel-ready for the rig's arrival.

With limited UK access to appropriate test rigs posing a risk of delay to floating wind projects, the Aberdeen facility is intended to provide local industry with a route to develop, verify and deploy new mooring products.

Nigel Robinson, Marine Energies Director at Apollo, said: "We are very excited to be working with ORE Catapult and the local supply chain to deliver this critical piece of validation equipment. The scope of work aligns ideally with our detailed design capability and there is an excellent opportunity for the local supply chain to undertake the build-out. It will be great to see mooring validation centred here on the North East of Scotland."

Scotland's offshore wind pipeline from ScotWind and INTOG exceeds 30GW. If half proceeds as floating wind, around 1,000km of synthetic rope would be required; at roughly £1,000 per metre, the associated mooring market could reach £1bn.

Site works in Aberdeen are scheduled to commence in January 2026.