Vårgrønn, a collaboration between Plenitude (Eni) and HitecVision, alongside Flotation Energy, has finalized exclusive agreements for the development of two floating offshore wind projects under Crown Estate Scotland's Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round. These initiatives are expected to yield a combined capacity of up to 1.9 GW, providing renewable electricity to both the UK grid and offshore oil and gas platforms. The primary goal is to reduce carbon emissions from these energy assets significantly.

The projects, known as Green Volt and Cenos, are set to play a vital role in Scotland's ambitious 2045 Net Zero target, as well as the North Sea Transition Deal's objective of halving offshore emissions by 2030. The combined estimated savings amount to approximately 3 million tonnes of carbon annually. Additionally, the wind farms are anticipated to provide renewable electricity for over 2.4 million UK homes, contributing to the nation's sustainable energy transition.

The Cenos floating offshore wind project, situated in the Central North Sea, will cover an area of roughly 333 square kilometers. With an estimated capacity of 1.4 GW, the wind farm will feature 70-100 floating turbines, each boasting a capacity ranging between 14 MW and 20 MW. On the other hand, the Green Volt project, located 80 kilometers east of Peterhead, will utilize up to 35 floating wind turbines to deliver 500 MW of renewable energy.

The development of these projects is expected to foster job creation, with over 8,000 employment opportunities anticipated during the construction phase and several hundred jobs during the operational period. Moreover, the combined economic value added (GVA) is estimated to reach approximately GBP 6 billion. The initiatives also aim to stimulate the growth of a local supply chain for floating offshore wind, centered around the North Sea region.

RenewableUK's Senior Policy Analyst on Emerging Technologies, Laurie Heyworth, highlighted the critical role of floating wind in the UK's renewable energy landscape. With ambitious economic projections and a substantial increase in job opportunities, these projects are set to contribute significantly to the regeneration of coastal communities, positioning the UK as a leading force in the global shift toward sustainable energy sources.