offshore windfarm at dusk

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The Project

The Project

MarramWind is a proposed floating windfarm located in the North Sea, with the potential to deliver up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of clean, renewable energy.

Covering an area of 684km², the windfarm will consist of up to 225 floating wind turbines, in water depths averaging 111 metres, located approximately 75km off the north-east coast of Aberdeenshire.

  • MarramWind
  • John o’ Groats
  • Ullapool
  • Inverness
  • Fraserburgh
  • Peterhead
  • Aberdeen
Map of north-east Scotland showing the MarramWind site in the North Sea, east of Fraserburgh and Peterhead.
  • Up to 3 Gigawatts
  • 126 to 225 Turbines
  • Around 111m Water Depth
  • Floating Substructures
  • 350m Max. Blade Tip Height
  • Site Area 684 km²

The renewable electricity generated by the windfarm will play a pivotal role in achieving Scottish and UK net zero targets for 2045 and 2050 respectively, while also supporting energy security and promoting energy innovation.

The electricity produced by the windfarm will connect to the national grid at Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ (SSEN) Netherton Hub substation which is under construction to the west of Peterhead.

Onshore infrastructure

MarramWind’s onshore infrastructure will include a new onshore substation site located near the grid connection point at the SSEN Netherton Hub. The site will contain three substations, which will be built in phases as the windfarm is developed. They will receive electricity from the offshore windfarm, convert it to the voltage required for the national grid, and ensure it meets UK electricity network standards before it is transmitted across the country via the Netherton Hub.

Underground export cables will connect the offshore windfarm to the onshore substation site and onward to the Netherton Hub. The cables will be installed within a dedicated cable corridor and buried underground to minimise long-term visual impacts. Construction will require temporary working areas, access tracks and compounds along the route, with land reinstated once works are complete. Where the cable route crosses major roads, rivers or existing utilities, specialist construction techniques will be used to reduce disruption and protect the surrounding environment.

Project Timelines

MarramWind is anticipated to begin construction in the early 2030s, subject to securing all necessary onshore and offshore planning consents and licences, and a signed Gate 2 grid Connection Offer with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The indicative timetable for the project is shown below.

  1. 2022

    ScottishPower Renewables was awarded rights to develop MarramWind within Plan Option NE7 of Scotland’s ‘Sectoral Marine Plan - Offshore Wind Energy (2020)’ as part of Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind leasing round. Environmental surveys and data gathering commenced in the marine and terrestrial environments to inform the EIA and project design.

  2. 2023

    The project’s Scoping Report was submitted to Aberdeenshire Council and the Marine Directorate. A Public Drop-In-Day event was held in Peterhead for stakeholders to learn about the project. A supply chain event was also held for local businesses and suppliers to raise awareness of future contract opportunities.

  3. 2024

    Two rounds of public consultation were held, each including public events and online Q&A sessions, providing stakeholders with opportunities to view and feedback on the project proposals during the development stage.

    Supported local skills and community activities, including funding school pupils in Peterhead to visit Aberdeen Science Centre and sponsoring SeaFest.

  4. 2025

    Two additional rounds of public consultation to view progress and provide feedback on the final project proposals.

    Production of Environmental Impact Assessment.

    Onshore planning application made to Aberdeenshire Council.

  5. 2026

    Offshore Section 36 and Marine Licence application submitted to Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT).

    Updated Supply Chain Development Statement submitted to Crown Estate Scotland.

  6. Early 2030s

    Start of phased construction subject to consent.

  7. Early to mid 2030s

    First generation of power from phase 1.