Mainstream Renewable Power and Ocean Winds Win Wind Energy Site in Scotland

Offshore wind energy major Mainstream Renewable Power has announced that it has been appointed preferred bidder by Crown Estate Scotland for an area with the potential for a 1.8 GW offshore wind farm off the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Mainstream Renewable Power is a global renewable energy company majority-owned by Aker Horizons and Ocean Winds.

The official statement said that Mainstream and Ocean Winds, as the preferred bidders, are now offered the opportunity to enter into an option agreement for the site which is located east of the Shetland Islands in approximately 100m water depth and is well suited for floating offshore wind. The project partners hold a 50-50 ownership and are committed to developing floating offshore wind on an industrial scale in Scotland

The site output is expected to power for the equivalent of over 2 million homes. “It is a testament to the strength of the partnership, and to Mainstream’s standing as a leading developer of gigawatt-scale renewables platforms with significant offshore technology expertise. This was further reinforced by the company’s recent combination with Aker Offshore Wind,” said Kristian Rokke, CEO of Aker Horizons and Chairman of Mainstream.

Mary Quaney, CEO, Mainstream, held, “In Scotland, we have already developed the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm and we now look forward to working with all stakeholders to further develop and strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind industry and help position it as a global leader in floating offshore wind power.”

Combining for Strength

Mainstream and Aker Offshore Wind in August 2022 completed a transaction to combine the two companies to create a stronger renewable energy company with more than 27 GW net portfolio. The company is currently bringing forward multi-gigawatt scale developments of offshore wind assets in markets including Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Norway, Ireland and Sweden.

Mainstream said that it has already partnered with Ocean Winds in the joint venture KF Wind in South Korea and are in consortium to bid in the upcoming leasing round for floating wind at Utsira Nord in Norway.

The official statement holds that Mainstream and Ocean Winds are also major shareholders of the leading floating wind technology provider Principle Power.

Bautista Rodriguez, CEO, Ocean Winds, stated, “As Ocean Winds, we are looking forward to using our more than 10-year expertise as pioneer in floating offshore wind farms from development to operation to progress this large floating project awarded with Mainstream, as well as the 500 MW floating project also awarded to Ocean Winds during this clearing round. Both will bring major benefits to Shetland and Scotland, and an important contribution to Net Zero.”