Vestas has signed a conditional order agreement with Inch Cape Offshore, a joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables, for the 1.1 GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind project in Scotland. The agreement covers the supply, installation, and commissioning of 72 V236-15.0 MW wind turbines.
The total investment value of the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm is estimated to be around £2-3 billion, according to media reports. This capital expenditure covers everything from the planning, development, and installation of the wind turbines to the construction of offshore substations and undersea grid connections.
The project, located 15 kilometers off the Angus coast in the Scottish North Sea, will make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy security and sustainability goals, delivering over 5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity annually once operational. Turbine installation is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the wind farm expected to be fully operational by 2027.
Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe, emphasized the project’s importance for Scotland’s offshore wind industry and the UK’s energy transition, while Inch Cape Project Director John Hill highlighted the impact on energy security and emissions reduction targets.
Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm
The Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm is a significant renewable energy project planned off the east coast of Scotland, within the North Sea. It aims to contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy targets and support the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Here are the key details of the project:
The project site is located approximately 15 to 22 kilometers (9 to 14 miles) off the Angus coastline, near the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth.
The wind farm will occupy a large designated area of around 150 square kilometers.
The project is being developed by Inch Cape Offshore (ICOL), a subsidiary of Red Rock Power, which is owned by the Chinese energy company SDIC Power Holdings.
Initially, it was a joint venture between Repsol Nuevas Energias UK and EDP Renewables, but ownership changed over time, eventually being led by Red Rock Power.
The Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm is expected to have a capacity of up to 1 GW (1,000 megawatts), making it one of the largest offshore wind projects in the UK.
It is estimated to supply electricity to nearly 1 million homes once operational, significantly contributing to Scotland’s renewable energy supply.
The project will consist of around 72 large offshore wind turbines.
The turbines are expected to be some of the most powerful available, likely using models with capacities ranging between 10 to 14 megawatts each.
The wind turbines will be supported by foundations on the seabed and connected via undersea cables to an onshore substation.
The wind farm will connect to the national grid through an onshore substation near the town of Cockenzie, which is located in East Lothian. This involves laying a high-voltage undersea and underground cable.
Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm represents a multibillion-pound investment that combines international capital with partnerships in Scotland and the UK. It aims to yield substantial financial and environmental returns, aligning with Scotland’s leadership in renewable energy development.
Baburajan Kizhakedath