Overview

The Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Farm is a major renewable energy project set to be constructed in the UK North Sea, off the coast of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This brownfield project, a joint venture between Flotation Energy and Vargronn, is estimated to cost GBP 575 million (USD 720 million). Announced in early 2024, construction is expected to begin later this year and be completed by 2029.

With a capacity of 560 MW, Green Volt aims to provide clean electricity to both offshore oil and gas platforms and the UK national grid. It will create jobs in Scotland, support the country's target of achieving net zero emissions by 2045, and help reduce offshore emissions in line with the North Sea Transition Deal. Additionally, Green Volt contributes to the UK's national objective of reaching 5 GW of floating wind power capacity by 2030.

Project Background

The Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Farm is a large-scale renewable energy project planned for the Scottish North Sea. It aims to achieve two main goals: reduce offshore greenhouse gas emissions of targeted oil and gas platforms and supply clean electricity to the UK grid. The project is developed by Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn, in collaboration with CNOOC Petroleum Europe. 

Initially envisioned with a capacity of up to 560MW, Green Volt became part of a larger development plan in November 2023. This plan, encompassing Green Volt and the Cenos Floating Offshore Wind Farm, has a combined capacity target of 1.9 GW. Green Volt itself is expected to generate 1.5TWh of electricity per year, enough to power 300,000 homes and offset 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The offshore wind project will utilize floating wind technology and will be situated approximately 20 km from the Buzzard oil and gas platform. This strategic placement minimizes cable length and leverages favorable wind, water depth, and seabed conditions. Additionally, the chosen location boasts minimal shipping and fishing activity and reduced visual impact due to its distance from shore. 

The Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind project aligns with the goals of the North Sea Transition Authority, particularly their objective to reduce offshore emissions by 2030. Green Volt is expected to achieve full electrification of the Buzzard Field by providing clean energy while also incorporating a grid connection to supply renewable power to Scotland. The project is awaiting a final investment decision expected by the end of 2024, with an operational target of 2029.

Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Location

Source: greenvolt offshore wind

The Green Volt floating offshore wind project will be located 75 km east of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on a former oil field site Ettrick and Blackbird near the Buzzard Platform Complex 20 km away. This location offers a suitable water depth of 110-115 meters for its floating turbines and minimizes cable length.

Technical Specification

The Green Volt Offshore Wind Farm will utilize up to 35 floating wind turbines, each with a capacity of 10-16 MW and a minimum blade clearance of 22 meters above sea level. The turbines will be moored to the seabed using a catenary mooring system and on top of floating substructures with a 12-meter elevation and 100-meter maximum face length. 

A network of 66kV inter-array cables totaling 87.5km will collect electricity from the turbines and transmit it to offshore substation platforms (OSPs). These OSPs will connect to the Buzzard platform via a 15km, 11-33kV cable, and export excess power to the UK grid via a 90 km offshore export cable and a 30km onshore export cable. The landfall site is planned for the Aberdeenshire coast near Peterhead with a potential substation location in New Deer.

Project Timeline

Project cost

The Green Volt Offshore Wind Farm is estimated to cost around GBP 575 million (USD 720 million).

Contractors Involved

Sustainable Goals

The project will provide renewable electricity to an existing oil and gas facility in the UK North Sea to decarbonize its operations. This will mitigate 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition, there is a potential for surplus power to be transmitted onshore to the National Grid.

Current Status & Future Outlook

The Green Volt project is currently in the announced stage and is planned for a single-phase development. Construction is expected to begin this year (2024) with commercial operation targeted for 2027. A final investment decision is anticipated by the end of 2024, with key funding and investment choices being met.

Aker Solutions and ABB will lead the first-phase FEED for the GreenVolt floating offshore wind project. Aker Solutions will design the high-voltage offshore substation, onshore HV equipment, and the jacket substructure, while planning transport and installation. ABB will develop the electrical infrastructure, integrating renewable energy into the UK grid and optimizing operations with power and energy management systems.

Summary

The Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Farm, a collaborative effort between Flotation Energy and Vargronn, is an important turn towards renewable energy in the North Sea. With an estimated cost of GBP 575 million, it aims to provide 560 MW of clean electricity to offshore platforms and the UK grid, aiding Scotland's net zero emissions goal by 2045. Construction is set to commence in late 2024, targeting completion by 2029. This project aligns with green initiatives of the UK to reduce carbon emissions and expand renewable energy capacity, marking an advancement in sustainable energy development.

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