Statoil wins consent for 30-MW floating wind project off Scotland

Norwegian energy major Statoil ASA (OSL:STL) has won clearance to build a 30-MW pilot floating offshore wind park in Scottish waters, which would be the largest such development in the world.

The Scottish government said on Monday it has granted a marine licence to the Hywind project, which was also approved by the UK’s Crown Estate in November 2013.

Statoil, which formed a separate renewables-focused business in May, plans to install five 6-MW Siemens turbines off the coast of Peterhead, Aberdeen, in water depths of over 100 metres (328 ft). The machines are expected to generate some 135 GWh of electricity per year, enough to power up to 19,900 households.

“The momentum is building around the potential for floating offshore wind technology to unlock deeper water sites. The ability to leverage existing infrastructure and supply chain capabilities from the offshore oil and gas industry create the ideal conditions to position Scotland as a world leader in floating wind technology,” said John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister.

Building works are seen to commence as early as next year, while commissioning is scheduled for 2017, according to the company.

StatoilHydro installed the world’s first floating wind turbine, also made by Siemens, off the coast of Norway in 2009. The initial machine has a capacity of 2.3 MW.

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