The Aberdeenshire Council in Scotland has approved the planning applications for the onshore infrastructure needed for the Caledonia and Buchan offshore wind parks, according to separate statements issued by the developers.
The 2 GW Caledonia offshore wind project is being developed by Ocean Winds, a 50:50 joint venture between French energy company ENGIE and Portugal-based EDPR.
- According to the press release, the approval covers an underground cable route of around 3 km, connecting the previously approved Caledonia substation at Burnside to a new SSEN Transmission substation at Greens, Scotland.
- Ocean Winds aims to start onshore construction works in 2028, subject to a separate offshore consent decision by the Scottish Government.
The Buchan floating offshore wind project was also granted approval for its onshore infrastructure during the same council meeting. The project is being jointly developed by German developer BayWa r.e., French floating offshore wind specialist BW Ideol, and Belgian wind energy developer Elicio.
- The approved development includes the installation of an underground electricity cable extending approximately 20 km from Rattray Head to a new substation close to the existing Peterhead facility.
- This infrastructure will enable the floating offshore wind park to connect to the national transmission network. The project is aiming for grid connection in the early 2030s.
Both projects have filed separate applications with the Scottish Government to obtain offshore consent, with decisions anticipated later in 2026.
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