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Scotland Approves Ocean Winds' 2GW Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm in the Moray Firth

The Scottish Government granted offshore consent for Ocean Winds' 2GW Caledonia wind farm in the Moray Firth, backed by a £1.7 billion supply-chain commitment.

Energy & Climate Renewables
offshore wind Scotland renewable energy Ocean Winds Moray Firth
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Editor's Note ·

Correction:
The article states, citing Offshore Wind, that the 2GW Caledonia project splits into '77 for Caledonia North and 78 for Caledonia South, including as many as 39 floating turbines.' That turbine breakdown does not appear in the cited Offshore Wind article; it comes from the Scottish Government's announcement, which states Caledonia North will use 'up to 77' turbines and Caledonia South 'up to 78... of which no more than 39 shall be floating.' The figures themselves are accurate — only the citation was attributed to the wrong outlet.

Overview

Ocean Winds has secured offshore consent from the Scottish Government for its Caledonia North and Caledonia South wind farms in the Moray Firth, a 2-gigawatt project that clears what the developer’s project director called “the culmination of years of hard work,” according to Power Technology. The consents and marine licences, granted by the Scottish Government, cover a combined 429-square-kilometer area with up to 140 wind turbines, and “have been granted consents and marine licences by the Scottish Government,” according to gov.scot.

What We Know

  • The North and South Caledonia projects together total 2 GW, and the developer estimates the projects “could generate enough electricity annually to power 2 million households,” according to gov.scot.
  • Ocean Winds is splitting the capacity evenly between the two sites, with up to 140 turbines total — 77 for Caledonia North and 78 for Caledonia South, including as many as 39 floating turbines — across water depths of 40 to 100 meters, according to Offshore Wind.
  • Caledonia North sits in shallower water suited to fixed-bottom foundations, while “the Caledonia South project is planning to use a mix of foundation technologies and will help advance Scotland’s position as a world-leader in floating wind,” according to gov.scot.
  • In its latest Supply Chain Development Statement, “Ocean Winds has committed to spend £1.7 bn in Scotland across the two projects,” per gov.scot, supporting jobs “across engineering, manufacturing, ports and vessels, as well as creating long-term operations and maintenance roles.”
  • Alongside Ocean Winds’ existing Moray East and Moray West wind farms, Caledonia is expected to lift the company’s long-term regional operations workforce to more than 200 skilled positions, according to Power Technology and the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
  • First Minister John Swinney said: “We have given the Caledonia North and South offshore wind farm applications very careful consideration. This consent decision is a significant step in Scotland’s progress towards tackling climate change and reaching net zero, which is a key priority for the Scottish Government,” according to gov.scot.
  • Caledonia Project Director Mark Baxter called the approval “the culmination of years of hard work by our Caledonia team,” according to Power Technology and the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and said the project would “double the energy generation of the Moray Firth, supporting the UK’s aim of bolstering energy security, decarbonising the power system and transitioning jobs,” according to Energy Global.
  • Ocean Winds UK Country Manager Adam Morrison said the project is “built on Ocean Winds’ proud legacy in the Moray Firth” and that the consent decision allows the company to “write the next chapter,” according to Power Technology.
  • Caledonia is part of Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind leasing round and follows full onshore planning consent that Aberdeenshire Council granted earlier in 2026, according to Power Technology and Offshore Wind.

What We Don’t Know

Ocean Winds still needs to secure a Contract for Difference and reach a final investment decision before construction can begin; offshore construction is not expected before 2030, according to Offshore Wind and Power Technology. Before Caledonia North and South can proceed, the Scottish Government also requires Ocean Winds to submit a detailed seabird compensation plan, outlining how the developer will offset impacts on seabirds, for ministerial approval, per gov.scot. The plan’s contents and approval timeline have not been disclosed.