Overview

The Ossian Offshore Wind Farm is a greenfield project located off the Angus coast of Scotland in the North Sea.  The project is managed by Ossian Offshore Wind Farm Limited on a joint venture of SSE renewables limited, Marubeni Corporation, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. The wind farm project cost is expected to be USD 5.5 billion and contribute 3.6 GW of wind power upon completion. The project is currently in the pre-construction phase under the ScotWind Leasing category. 

Once completed, the project is expected to power 6 million Scottish homes a year. The development will proceed in three phases, initially proposed in 2021, with capacities of 594 MW, 1008 MW, and 1008 MW, expected to reach completion in 2027, 2029, and 2031, respectively. The region has favorable conditions for wind energy, including an anticipated mean wind speed of 11.4 m/s and a minimally mobile seabed composition.

Project Background

The Ossian Floating Offshore Wind Farm is named after the Poems of Ossian, which depict the epic quests of a third-century Scottish leader. The project symbolizes a relentless pursuit of sustainability. The wind farm in Scottish waters is expected to become operational by the decade's end, with its first power generation scheduled for 2030. The floating wind project is currently in the pre-construction phase, involving extensive environmental and technical assessments. 

In 2023, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report for the Ossian project was submitted to Marine Scotland, and two years of ornithology and marine mammal digital aerial surveys were completed. Continuous consultations with stakeholders and completing benthic and geophysical surveys are underway. By 2024, the project plans to submit consent applications and EIA reports for the Ossian Array and the offshore export cable corridors.

The National Grid ESO's 'Beyond 2030' report has confirmed Ossian's grid connection in Lincolnshire for further development. The phased delivery plan, originally proposed in 2021, aims for progressive completion in 2027, 2029, and 2031, ensuring a steady contribution to the renewable energy grid.

Project Location Map

At its nearest point, Ossian offshore wind project will be approximately 84 kilometers (over 50 miles) off the Aberdeenshire coast and cover 858 square kilometers (533 square miles). With 858 square kilometers of seabed, Ossian represents one of the largest lease areas granted by Crown Estate Scotland to any bidder in the ScotWind leasing round. The lease area features average water depths of 72 meters.

Technical Specifications

The Ossian Floating Wind Farm array will consist of up to 270 wind turbines and as many as six Offshore Substation Platforms (OSPs), all based on fixed bottom foundations or associated floating support structures and foundations. Environmental and engineering survey results based on individual wind turbine capacities will determine the final number of turbines. These turbines will have a maximum rotor diameter of up to 350 meters and a maximum blade tip height of up to 399 meters above the Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). 

The turbines will be supported by floating substructures, with Semi-submersible and Tension-Leg Platform configurations under consideration. The evaluated mooring systems include catenary, semi-taut, and taut mooring lines, with a maximum of nine mooring lines and anchors per foundation.

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The project will also feature an extensive inter-array subsea cable network of approximately 1,515 kilometers, linking the individual wind turbines to the OSPs and interconnector cables between OSPs. The OSPs will convert electricity to a higher voltage for efficient transmission directly to shore or the grid network, with the topside of each OSP, expected to measure up to 130 meters in length, 110 meters in width, and approximately 70 meters in height above LAT. 

These platforms will be based on fixed jacket foundations with up to eight legs, anchored to the seabed with up to nine mooring lines per foundation, and will include scouring protection to prevent seabed erosion around the anchor and mooring systems. The precise offshore and onshore export cable corridors, including landfall locations, will be finalized following the Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR) and the National Grid Holistic Network Design Follow-Up Exercise (HNDFUE) review.

Contractors Involved

Project Benefits

The Ossian Offshore Wind Farm project benefits the Scottish supply chain, local workforce, and communities more. The Project Partners are dedicated to maximizing opportunities for Scottish suppliers, transitioning oil and gas suppliers to offshore wind, supporting new market entrants, and developing future workforce skills.

A multi-million-pound Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) underpins these efforts, alongside collaboration with the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC), to grow the sector sustainably and commercially. Early engagement with the supply chain has already begun to boost the floating offshore wind in Scotland.

Ossian Offshore Wind Ltd. is committed to education, research, and community benefits. A multi-million-pound Education, Research, and Community Benefit Fund has been established, with significant contributions to the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) for skills and research activities. Local community engagement is prioritized, ensuring open communication and collaboration on project plans and community benefit initiatives. 

Project Timeline

Project cost

The Ossian floating offshore wind farm is estimated to cost around USD 5.5 billion.

Environmental Benefits

The Ossian Offshore Wind Farm will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to renewable energy goals when operational. Ossian will be capable of powering up to 6 million homes annually. This clean energy output will help offset up to 7.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, making a notable impact in the fight against climate change.

Floating wind farm technology allows for deploying turbines in deeper waters with higher wind potential further offshore. This innovative approach maximizes energy production and supports Scotland's ambitions to reach net zero by 2045, with interim targets of 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2040. The UK, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels by 2050, recognizes wind farms as a crucial component in achieving these targets.

Current Status & Future Outlook

The Ossian Wind Farm is in the early development phase and is currently focusing on obtaining consent for the wind farm array. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report has been submitted, and the approach to defining the environmental baseline has been outlined in coordination with the Marine Directorate. Significant progress has been made, including completing various surveys such as Ocean Infinity’s geotechnical survey in November 2023, a metocean data gathering campaign in July 2023, and Fugro’s detailed geotechnical surveys in August 2023. 

Twenty-four months of site-specific bird and marine mammal digital aerial surveys were completed in Q1 2023, and geophysical and benthic surveys were conducted in Autumn 2022. With over 50 project team members, Ossian actively engages with stakeholders and has launched its first public consultation in Q1 2024. Future steps include separate public consultations and consent applications for the export cable and onshore infrastructure, with a clearer program and delivery timeline anticipated following the National Grid ESO's Holistic Network Design Follow-Up Exercise later this year.

The latest update of the project: In July 2024, Ossian floating wind project submitted a consent application for the Ossian floating wind project to the Scottish Government.

Conclusion

The Ossian Offshore Wind Farm will contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy with its innovative floating wind technology and projected capacity of 3.6 GW. The project, valued at USD 5.5 billion, is in the pre-construction phase and has made considerable progress through extensive environmental and technical assessments. It promises to power up to 6 million homes annually and offset 7.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, aligning with Scotland's and the UK's ambitious net-zero targets. By fostering local supply chain development, workforce skill enhancement, and community engagement, Ossian is also committed to economic and social benefits for the region. As the project advances towards its first power generation in 2030, continued collaboration with stakeholders and meticulous planning will ensure its successful integration into the renewable energy grid.

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