Buchan Offshore Wind - Project Details

Onshore and Offshore Scoping Reports

Buchan Offshore Wind submitted its Offshore Scoping Report to the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate in September 2023, marking the project’s first major step in the consenting process.

The Onshore Scoping Report, which contains details of the planned onshore elements and Buchan Offshore Wind’s approach to Environmental Impact Assessment, was submitted to Aberdeenshire Council in June 2024.

To download or view the Buchan Offshore Wind Onshore and Offshore Scoping Reports, please click the buttons below:

The application for an electricity generation licence has been confirmed by ofgem to be duly made. The notice of the application can be accessed here.

Project Description

Located 75 km northeast of Fraserburgh on the Aberdeenshire Coast with a capacity of around 1GW, Buchan Offshore Wind represents a new frontier for offshore wind in Scotland.

It will put Scotland at the forefront of floating wind and bring significant benefits for Scotland’s supply chain, skills and employment opportunities. Our commitment to build the project’s unique concrete floating barges in Scotland will create Scottish manufacturing jobs to deliver the project.

In the coming months we will continue engagement with stakeholders, step up environmental surveys and progress further work on design as we advance our detailed proposals for the project.

Project Location

Planning and Environmental Activity

We have commissioned a range of baseline surveys, including marine mammal and ornithology surveys, to inform the project as it develops. Further baseline surveys are planned through 2022 and 2023. Natural Power Consultants have been appointed as the lead EIA Consultant for the offshore element of the project, which will include the wind farm and any export cable route.

Stakeholder Engagement

We have been engaging with statutory stakeholders regarding survey methodologies and assessment approaches. In September 2023 we submitted our EIA Scoping Report for the offshore wind farm and connection to shore, receiving a Scoping Opinion from Marine Directorate in December 2023. 

In November 2023 we held a series of local public consultation events to introduce our project, present some of the onshore and offshore options we are considering, and to seek feedback from local communities to inform the progress of the project.  We will be bringing forward our EIA Scoping Report and undertaking further consultee, stakeholder and public engagement through 2024 as the development of our offshore and onshore project elements continues.