Europe’s First Commercial-Scale Floating Offshore Wind Farm Secures All Planning Approvals

Planning & Permitting

April 22, 2024, by Adnan Durakovic

Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn, a joint venture between Plenitude (Eni) and HitecVision, have obtained the offshore planning approval for the Green Volt floating wind farm offshore Scotland.

Source: Green Volt Floating Offshore WindFarm

With onshore consent announced earlier this month, Green Volt has now received all its planning approvals and remains on track to be the first commercial-scale floating offshore wind farm in Europe.

When completed, Green Volt will include up to 35 floating wind turbines, providing up to 560 MW of renewable energy capacity.

As part of Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil & Gas (INTOG) leasing round, the project will deliver renewable electricity to oil and gas platforms, replacing existing natural gas and diesel power generation. Green Volt will also provide electricity to the UK grid.

Green Volt, 50 per cent owned by Flotation Energy and 50 percent by Vårgrønn, is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1 million tonnes per annum.

”It is great news that we have consented the first project in the Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round – this is a significant milestone which will help secure Scotland’s place at the forefront of floating wind technology,” First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf said.

”We have already underlined our commitment to making Scotland a global leader in offshore wind by committing to invest up to £500m over 5 years to catalyse private investment in the infrastructure and manufacturing facilities critical to the growth of the sector. Investor confidence in Scotland’s renewable sector is growing as illustrated by significant investments in ScotWind leasing rounds and in the ports and supply chain infrastructure facilities that will enable the sector to develop. We have a strong record in delivering robust consents, ensuring the right projects are built in the right place at the right time. Ahead of the Allocation Round 6 (AR6) application window closing, the relevant consents and marine licences were issued for two floating offshore wind projects as well as one wave and three tidal energy projects, allowing all of them to go forward.”

Back in 2023, Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn secured a lease for two floating offshore wind projects in Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) round.

That same year, the developers signed exclusivity agreements for the Green Volt and Cenos floating offshore wind projects.

”Gaining consent just over a year after our seabed exclusivity was awarded is a testament to the commitment, speed and determination of our Green Volt team, the Scottish Government and its key agencies,” Nicol Stephen, CEO at Flotation Energy, said.

”Green Volt is of international significance, placing Scotland at the leading edge of a new floating wind sector. This multi-billion pound development can now move forward confidently, creating hundreds of local jobs and proving that the UK and Scottish supply chain is ready to deliver commercial scale floating projects, at pace.”

Green Volt is expected to deliver its first power in 2029.

”With Green Volt being Europe’s first commercial-scale floating wind project, achieving offshore consent for the project marks an important moment for the whole offshore wind industry. At 560 MW, Green Volt serves as an essential stepping stone from current small-scale projects to gigawatt-size developments, supporting the supply chain in scaling up new technology,” Olav Hetland, CEO at Vårgrønn, said.

”Floating wind is set to be a huge global market in the decades to come. By being a frontrunner, Scotland is now positioned to be home to world-leading expertise and a whole industry of new jobs. Green Volt will deploy pioneering technology at an unprecedented scale, advancing what is possible in renewable energy.”