Luxembourg-based Simply Blue Energy and Irish marine developer Subsea 7 have joined forces to develop a 200MW floating wind farm. Located off the north-east coast of Scotland, the Salamander wind farm concept is a pre-commercial project intended to help develop the supply chain in Scotland ahead of the ScotWind leasing process. Sam Roch-Perks, CEO of Simply Blue, said: “Scotland is one of the best locations on the planet for the development of floating wind projects. As a leading floating wind developer, we want to contribute to the development of this market. Despite best intentions, previous projects have not achieved the hoped-for regional supply chain benefits, but we believe that for the supply chain to capitalize on the opportunities from ScotWind, a stepping-stone project like Salamander is needed.”
 
 
Subsea 7 will hold a minority stake in the joint venture behind the project and will assist by contributing its expertise in offshore energy projects and knowledge of the local supply chain. As the concept matures, it is anticipated that a strategic investor will be sought to support the execution of the project.

Simply blue energy said, down the road, Salamander will require a lease from the Crown Estate Scotland, under the innovation and oil and gas decarbonization leasing activities referenced in the Offshore Wind Sectoral Marine Plan.

Energy consultancy Xodus Group, a subsidiary of Subsea 7, has been supporting the project since its conception and will continue its work to develop the concept.

John Evans, CEO of Subsea 7, said, “Subsea 7 believes that floating wind has an important role to play in the energy transition and a low carbon future. We look forward to working with Simply Blue Energy on this exciting project.”

The project plans to use a floating platform concept that includes several innovations to allow this technology to be manufactured quickly with high local content, with a high contribution from local manufacturers.  In addition, a low draft requirement for the foundation will enable approximately 50% more Scottish ports to be considered for marshaling and assembly than would otherwise be the case.