Table of Contents
| Project at a Glance | |
| Project Name | Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm |
| Project Type | Greenfield |
| Project Location | Solway Firth, Scotland |
| Sector | Energy |
| Subsector | Wind Energy |
| Total Capacity | 180 MW |
| Turbine Model | Vestas V90-3MW |
| Project Value | EUR 500 million (USD 680 million) |
| Project Status | Fully Commissioned |
| Project Developer | E.ON Climate & Renewables UK |
| Owner & Operator | RWE Renewables |
| Construction Start Date | 2008 |
| Project Completion Date | 2010 |
Project Overview
Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm is Scotland's first commercial offshore wind farm constructed by E. ON. The offshore wind farm composed of Robin Rigg East and Robin Rigg West is located on a sandbank between the Galloway and Cumbrian coasts in Scottish waters. The wind farm has a renewable energy capacity of 180 MW and provides enough electricity to power approximately 137,000 homes.
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The offshore wind farm was commissioned in September 2009 and started full generation in April 2010. The wind farm project of EUR 500 million offsets around 230,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. The Robin Rigg wind farm is currently owned by RWE renewables.
Project Background
The Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm started development with a planning application submitted to the Scottish ministers in June 2002. Solway Offshore, in partnership with Offshore Energy Resources, submitted the application on behalf of Babcock & Brown and TXU Europe.
In March 2003, the project received section 36 consent to proceed. E.ON UK Renewables acquired the project in 2003, marking a significant step in the UK's offshore wind sector.
The Danish contractor, MT Højgaard, was awarded a turnkey contract for the design, supply, and installation of 60 turbine foundations and two substation foundations in December 2006. The design and fabrication of these components took place in 2007, with installation commenced in 2008.
In 2007, the two substations were transported to Barrow-in-Furness, and they were equipped with a main transformer and electrical systems. The turbine foundations were manufactured in Belgium and transported directly to the offshore site in the summer of 2007. The assembly of the turbines took place in Belfast, and the offshore installation occurred during the summer of 2008.
Robin Rigg Location Details
The Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm is located in the Solway Firth, Scotland, within the Irish Sea and St George's Channel. The project is situated approximately 9 kilometers from the Dumfries and Galloway coast at Balcary Point and the Cumbrian Coast, covering an area of 18.35 km².
The wind farm’s grid connection point is located 2 kilometers inland from Seaton, Cumbria, with operations and maintenance managed from Workington, UK, and installation carried out from bases in Belfast and Mostyn.
Project cost
The total project cost of the Robin Rigg project amounted to EUR 500 million (USD 680 million). The project generates revenue at a rate of GBP 147.56 per MWh (EUR 171.37 per MWh).
Technical Specifications
The Robin Rigg offshore windfarm project is powered by 60 V90-3MW Vestas turbines, each rated at 3 MW. The offshore wind turbine was launched by Vestas in 2002 to reduce the cost per unit of energy produced. The V90-3MW is a three-bladed upwind turbine and equipped with a 50Hz induction generator. Additionally, the turbine is equipped with an oil-cooled generator and a compact gearbox that connects the blade to the hub.
The offshore wind turbines are supported on robust monopile foundations 30 to 40 meters into the seabed to provide stability. Each monopile foundation measures 35 meters in length and has a diameter of 4.3 meters to provide structural integrity to the wind farm. The total height of the turbine reaches 125 meters from the base to the tip of the blade.
Each of the 60 turbines is connected to offshore substations through subsea cables. These substations then transmit the generated electricity via two 132kV cables. Then, the cables extend about 2 kilometers inland to an onshore substation, integrating the wind farm's output into the national grid. Also, the project uses advanced Green Ocean Energy’s Wave Treader device to enhance the clean energy output from offshore wind farms.
Contractors Involved
| Contractor | Role |
| CWind Limited | Maintenance (Cabling) |
| Parker Scanrope AS | Manufacturer (Array Cabling) |
| Subocean Group Limited | Installer (Array Cabling, AC Export Cabling) |
| Prysmian PowerLink S.r.l. | Manufacturer (AC Export Cabling) |
| Rambøll | Designer (Detailed Foundation, Substation Topside) |
| ITW Densit ApS | Contractor (Grouting) |
| Vestas Offshore UK | Maintenance (Turbine) |
| Vestas | Manufacturer (Turbine) |
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Project Timeline
Project Benefits
The Robin Rigg wind farm project has had a positive economic and social impact on Scotland. In partnership with Dumfries & Galloway and Cumbria, the project established a EUR 1 million Robin Rigg community fund in 2009. Solway Firth Partnership is the company running the Robin Rigg Community Fund for 2025 on both sides of the Solway Firth.
The project also sourced 86% of its operations and maintenance expenditure from within the UK, contributing significantly to the local economy. 34% of this expenditure was directly allocated to Cumbria, and a combined 45% was shared between the North West of England and Scotland.
Current and Future Outlook
On August 3, 2017, the UK Supreme Court ruled in favor of E.ON Climate & Renewables, holding MT Højgaard (MTH) liable for EUR 26.25 million in remedial costs due to failed grouted connections at the wind farm. The court found that MTH had a contractual obligation to ensure the foundations would last 20 years, despite an error in the DNV J101 design standard that contributed to the failure.
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Cognitive Business introduced a bathymetric tidal application to support maintenance activities at the site, enhancing the efficiency and safety of these operations. In October 2024, Cognitive Business has announced the launch of the second phase of its A.I Bathymetric Tidal Application, part of Cognitive's overall toolkit of AI applications designed to provide innovative technology solutions to help offshore wind farms increase productivity and safety. By maintaining this optimal energy production, the Robin Rigg wind farm will continue to produce clean electricity with a 20-year operational lifespan.
Summary
The Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm is a pioneer of Scotland’s renewable energy efforts. This offshore wind farm has generated 180 MW of wind power and supplied electricity to around 137,000 homes since its inception. The wind farm also contributed positively to the local economy through a community fund and high local content in its operations. The recent introduction of bathymetric tidal application enhances the efficiency and safety of its maintenance processes. This ensures the wind farm's long-term performance and sustainability over its 20-year operational lifespan.
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