A group of leading offshore wind companies and funds have today announced their joint participation in Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind leasing process. The NextGen consortium, led by Quaybridge Scotland, Parkwind and Maple Power is backed by a number of strategic partners including BlackRock Real Assets and Sumitomo Corporation.
Parkwind’s Belwind wind farm, operational since 2010. © mennomulder.com
The NextGen consortium’s innovative approach to offshore wind development in Scotland will ensure the creation of high value local jobs and opportunities for meaningful community involvement. From their base in Quaybridge’s Fife office, NextGen has worked closely with stakeholders across Scotland to complete early development work, pilot innovative supply chain interventions and build community level relationships for the last three years.
The consortium has initiated development of sites off the coast of Scotland with the objective of safely and successfully delivering the first ScotWind projects into operation. Critical path offshore ornithological, marine mammal and metocean surveys have already been completed by the consortium, reducing the time needed to bring the projects into construction.
Leading European offshore wind independent developer Parkwind brings a full suite of development, construction and operational experience to the consortium gained from 10 years of offshore projects in Belgium, Germany and Ireland.
Maple Power Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture between Enbridge Inc. and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), providing services to a portfolio of 3.2GW (gross) of European offshore wind investments in development, construction and operations.
Commenting on the NextGen ScotWind application, Strategy Manager at Quaybridge Scotland, Zoe Barnes, said “We’re delighted to be working together with such a strong group of partner companies to help deliver our vision for Next Generation Offshore Wind; one where offshore wind fulfils its full societal potential. If we are successful in ScotWind, NextGen will raise the bar on what offshore wind can be in Scotland – delivering positive change in local communities and the Scottish economy, all in service of an accelerated transition towards Net Zero.”
François Van Leeuw, co-CEO at Parkwind, added: “Offshore wind has always been a significant contributor to local economic activity. With Next Generation Offshore Wind, we aim to bring local value creation to the forefront of our green energy mission. Together, we want to demonstrate that offshore wind is a key contributor to a carbon free future and a strong economy.”
Toby Edmonds, CEO at Maple Power, added: “We would like to thank Crown Estate Scotland and the Scottish Government for offering an industry leading and highly attractive opportunity. We believe that this is a first-class tender process that gives developers like us an opportunity to put forward well-considered proposals targeted at achieving Scotland’s objectives. We are confident that, together with our partners and local industry, we will deliver world-class offshore wind projects for Scotland.”
The consortium is also backed by a number of reputable partners, including BlackRock’s latest Global Renewable Power strategy and Sumitomo Corporation. BlackRock has a strong presence in Scotland, with over 750 employees and the BlackRock Renewable Power platform has invested in near 300 wind and solar projects globally. Sumitomo Corporation, one of Japan’s most prominent investment groups has a long-standing history in offshore wind investments throughout Europe including the UK.