Arup appointed to lead BlueFloat Energy and Nadara Partnership’s floating offshore wind innovation study

Arup will be reviewing a range of floating wind innovations, considering the opportunities and benefits they present along with potential risks that may occur when bringing these innovations to the market.

Scaraben and Sinclair each have a proposed installed capacity of 99.5MW. The seabed exclusivity rights were awarded in 2023 following an application to the innovation element of the INTOG leasing round initiated by Crown Estate Scotland in 2022.

This element of the leasing round was created to trial innovative methodologies and technologies to accelerate roll out across larger-scale wind farms in the future, helping to reduce the levelised cost of floating offshore wind, and minimise the environmental impact of projects.

Currently, Arup is assessing several innovations to consider their feasibility for inclusion in the Scaraben and Sinclair wind farms. Arup will provide the BlueFloat Energy and Nadara team with insights into which innovations have the most potential to accelerate and facilitate the delivery and operations of commercial-scale floating offshore wind projects in Scotland.

As the project evolves, Arup may also consider new innovations that emerge in the industry, evaluating their feasibility and implications for Nadara Partnership’s broader portfolio.

This project highlights Arup’s position at the forefront of offshore wind innovation, supporting Scotland and the wider UK in maintaining its leadership in offshore wind.

Graeme McCann, Renewable Energy Leader for the UKIMEA region, commented: “At Arup, we take pride in on our extensive expertise in floating offshore wind technology. Our team of subject matter experts, spanning research and development, mooring, anchoring, structural engineering and environmental impact, are dedicated to supporting the successful deployment of innovative technologies on these groundbreaking projects. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with BlueFloat Energy and Nadara, leveraging our engineering service framework to unlock innovation and sustainable solutions in the offshore wind sector.”

Floating offshore wind technology enables wind turbines to be installed in deeper waters than conventional fixed-bottom turbines. Their deployment offers the potential to tap in to far greater and more consistent wind speeds further offshore.

Implementing new technologies that help to harness this potential plays a crucial role in meeting global renewable energy targets and advancing the transition to a low-carbon future.