Approval Granted for ScotWind's Initial Windfarm Project West of Orkney
The West of Orkney Windfarm, a significant renewable energy project located in the waters off the coast of Scotland, has reached a significant milestone in its development. As of late June 2025, the Scottish Government has granted offshore consent for the project, marking a crucial step towards construction.
This consent follows the Highland Council's approval of the project's application for onshore planning permission in June 2024, making the West of Orkney the first ScotWind project to secure both onshore and offshore approvals.
The West of Orkney Windfarm is a 2GW offshore wind farm planned approximately 30 kilometers west of Orkney Mainland and 25 kilometers north of the Sutherland coast. The development will feature up to 125 turbines fixed to the seabed, with the potential to generate enough renewable electricity to power roughly two million homes.
With both major consents in place, the project is now in the post-approval pre-construction phase (summer 2025). The developers—Corio Generation, TotalEnergies, and Renewables Infrastructure Development Group—are coordinating closely with the government and stakeholders to progress construction as soon as feasible.
The project's onshore planning permission covers the underground cables and electrical infrastructure required to connect the wind farm to the national transmission network in Caithness. The developers are also focusing on working with the government to achieve clarity on key regulatory areas such as transmission charging, electricity market reform, and the rules for future Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction rounds.
Gaining clarity on these regulatory areas will be essential for investors to fully understand the economic case for progressing into construction and operation of the West of Orkney Windfarm. The construction of the windfarm could trigger substantial investment in Scotland's supply chain, port and harbour infrastructure, and skilled jobs.
Notably, the West of Orkney Windfarm is supported by various initiatives, including a GBP 1 million research and development programme led by EMEC in Orkney, a GBP 900,000 education initiative led by UHI, and a GBP 125,000 Fit 4 Renewables scheme led by ORE Catapult.
Project Director Stuart McAuley stated that the West of Orkney Windfarm could deliver significant renewable electricity, positioning it as a crucial contributor to Scotland's renewable energy capacity. While no specific construction start date is publicly confirmed yet, the receipt of both offshore and onshore consents in mid-2025 suggests that construction preparations are underway, with the aim to develop the windfarm in the near term.
[1] https://www.totalenergies.com/media/news/2025/06/totalenergies-announces-offshore-consent-for-the-west-of-orkney-windfarm-project-in-scotland [2] https://www.scottish-energy-news.com/2025/06/28/scotwind-project-secures-offshore-consent-for-2-gw-windfarm/ [3] https://www.scottish-energy-news.com/2022/09/29/west-of-orkney-windfarm-project-could-power-two-million-homes/ [4] https://www.scottish-energy-news.com/2025/03/25/west-of-orkney-windfarm-project-secures-no-objection-from-highland-council-for-offshore-plans/
- The receipt of offshore and onshore consents is crucial for investors to understand the economic case for the development of the West of Orkney Windfarm, potentially triggering substantial investment in Scotland's industries, such as energy, finance, and science, including environmental science.
- The developers of the West of Orkney Windfarm are working closely with the government to achieve clarity on key regulatory areas like transmission charging, electricity market reform, and future Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction rounds, which are essential for progressing into construction and operation.
- The successful construction of the West of Orkney Windfarm could position it as a leading contributor to Scotland's renewable energy market, while also offering opportunities for collaboration with various initiatives, including research programs, education programs, and skills development schemes.
