After announcing their intention to bid in the ScotWind seabed leasing this May, British oil & gas major BP and German offshore wind developer EnBW have now detailed on their plan in Scotland, which encompasses more than offshore wind.
With an investment of GBP 10 billion (around EUR 11.65 billion), the two partners want to build an offshore wind development with 2.9 GW of installed capacity that would – along with providing Scottish households with clean electricity – also power a green hydrogen production plant and EV charging network on land.
“The consortium has applied for a lease area off the east coast of Scotland that could support offshore wind projects with 2.9 gigawatts (GW) generating capacity. But the bid seeks to go far beyond developing wind power and aims to accelerate Scotland’s entire energy transition – from producing clean power to using it in new industries” , the companies stated in a press release on 19 July.
The investment would also encompass supporting infrastructure, including ports, harbours and shipyards, according to BP and EnBW.
The partners have already signed a Heads of Terms agreement with Forth Ports, with a financial commitment that will supplement Forth Ports’ GBP 40 million (around EUR 46 million) investment in their planned Renewables Hub at the Port of Leith.
BP and EnBW would also support and invest in a new skills capability accelerator developed by energy consultancy Xodus, which will provide on-the-job project experience and formal learning. The five-year, multi-million financial commitment includes creating entry-level energy transition roles, and the reskilling of hundreds of oil and gas workers, graduates and technicians with renewable sector capabilities.
Together, these investments would support thousands of jobs in the Scottish energy sector and supply chain, and develop new energy transition jobs, skills and capabilities, BP and EnBW said.
BP said it would also make Aberdeen its global offshore wind centre of excellence, supporting its growing portfolio of offshore wind interests across the world.
The two partners, in preparation for a potentially successful bid in Scotland, have launched a supplier portal , inviting local companies to register.
Earlier this year, BP entered the UK’s offshore wind power sector, currently the largest in the world, together with EnBW.
They formed a 50-50 joint venture to jointly develop and operate two leases in the Irish Sea that offer a combined potential generating capacity of 3 GW – sufficient to power more than 3.4 million UK households with clean electricity.
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Earlier this month, the companies also launched a dedicated supplier portal for the two UK offshore wind projects, now named Morgan and Mona, and invited UK-based suppliers to sign up.
The developers are especially encouraging those UK-based suppliers that have connections across North Wales and the northwest of England to register their interest in being part of the supply chain for the two offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea, which will have a total installed capacity of 3 GW.