Arup, a global engineering and sustainable development consultancy, has been appointed by BlueFloat Energy and Nadara Partnership to assess emerging floating offshore wind technologies for their Scaraben and Sinclair wind farms.
Arup will review a variety of floating wind innovations, evaluating both the opportunities and benefits they present, as well as potential risks in bringing these technologies to market. The project will focus on identifying innovations that can accelerate the delivery of commercial-scale offshore wind projects in Scotland.
Each of the Scaraben and Sinclair wind farms has a proposed installed capacity of 99.5MW. These seabed exclusivity rights were awarded in 2023 after an application to the innovation element of the INTOG leasing round, initiated by Crown Estate Scotland in 2022. The goal of this leasing element is to trial innovative technologies and methodologies, helping to reduce the levelised cost of floating offshore wind and minimize the environmental impact of these projects.
As part of this initiative, Arup is assessing several floating wind innovations for their feasibility and potential application in the Scaraben and Sinclair wind farms. They will provide BlueFloat Energy and Nadara Partnership with key insights into which innovations hold the most promise for facilitating the efficient delivery and operation of floating offshore wind projects.
This project positions Arup as a key player in offshore wind innovation, supporting the UK’s leadership in the renewable energy sector. Graeme McCann, Renewable Energy Leader for the UKIMEA region at Arup, commented on the company’s commitment to leveraging its extensive expertise in floating offshore wind technology.
The potential of floating offshore wind is substantial, enabling wind turbines to be installed in deeper waters than conventional fixed-bottom turbines, tapping into more consistent and powerful wind resources further offshore. As the global renewable energy landscape evolves, innovative technologies such as floating wind will be essential in meeting global renewable energy targets and advancing the transition to a low-carbon future.
