Developers SSE Renewables, Marubeni Corporation, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners have submitted a consent application to the Scottish Government for the ambitious 3600MW Ossian floating wind project off the East Coast of Scotland.
The proposed project, set 84km off the Aberdeenshire coast, aims to generate renewable energy capable of powering up to six million homes annually once operational. Rich Morris, development lead for Ossian, emphasized the extensive consultation and environmental assessment efforts spanning three years, culminating in the submission of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment report to the Scottish Government's Marine Directorate.
“We are confident this submission will support the timely delivery of the UK's largest floating offshore wind farm,” Morris stated, highlighting the project's alignment with grid reforms and net zero targets of both the Scottish and UK governments.
The developers have engaged with over 30 organizations, including regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders across nature conservation, fisheries, aviation, and shipping, to incorporate diverse perspectives into the application process. Key data from extensive surveys, including a pioneering bird population study covering an 11,550km2 area in the North Sea, underscores Ossian's commitment to environmental stewardship.
In preparation for construction, Ossian completed significant geotechnical surveys and a comprehensive metocean data gathering campaign earlier this year, gathering crucial information on wave dynamics and sediment movements.
The consent application marks a crucial milestone for the project, which aims to play a pivotal role in Scotland's transition to a decarbonized future.
