Cerulean Winds recently announced its 1-GW Aspen floating wind project in the Central North Sea is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs and attract a total investment of 10.9 billion pounds across its 50-year lifespan.
Aspen is being delivered by world-class partners with technical expertise and experience in delivering large-scale offshore projects. Under a project charter, the contracting parties of the consortium (NOV, Siemens Energy, Bilfinger, Ocean Installer, alongside Haventus) anticipate directly creating more than 1,000 U.K. jobs, committing 1 billion pounds in domestic spending, and unlocking nearly 1 billion pounds in additional inward investment.
“This project has the potential to support thousands of skilled jobs and billions in investment to the U.K.; from a base in Scotland, Cerulean Winds and our delivery partners want to grasp the opportunity of creating a floating offshore wind supply chain industrial base in the U.K.,” said Dan Jackson, founding director of Cerulean Winds. “Having our delivery partners already in place, working together to a shared goal means that we’re able to accurately predict the benefits that Aspen can deliver.”
The Ardersier Energy Transition Facility will serve as the strategic hub for the Aspen project making it the U.K.’s first dedicated assembly, delivery and operations center for floating offshore wind (FLOW). By anchoring this vital part of the supply chain in Scotland, the project will help establish a fully integrated industrial ecosystem — ensuring that long-term economic value is retained within the U.K.
“The clean-energy transition is well underway in Scotland, thanks to state-of-the-art offshore wind projects, like this one at the Port of Ardersier, that will help us deliver on our Plan for Change and clean power by 2030 mission,” said Michael Shanks, energy minister. “Today’s commitment from Cerulean Winds and its partners shows exactly how this transition will bring good jobs and growth to Scotland, as Britain’s fast expanding renewable energy powerhouse.”
The 10.9 billion pound investment includes 5.9 billion pounds during development and construction and 100 million pounds annually during 50 years of operations. This expenditure is expected to provide 4.1 billion pounds in Gross Value Added to the U.K., 2.8 billion pounds of which will be in Scotland.
Once built, the three Cerulean Winds projects (Aspen, Beech, and Cedar), could comprise up to 300 turbines. The 1-GW Aspen site will be developed first, providing new offshore wind capacity helping to meet the U.K. government’s 50 GW by 2030 target.
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