West of Orkney Windfarm

What West of Orkney Windfarm does

West of Orkney Windfarm is a privately-held joint venture developing a 2GW offshore wind farm approximately 30km west of Orkney Mainland and 25km north of the Sutherland coast. Operated under the legal entity Offshore Wind Power Ltd and headquartered at 32 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, the project will deploy up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations in waters up to 60 metres deep. The consortium comprises Corio Generation (specialist offshore wind developer), TotalEnergies (global multi-energy company), and RIDG (Scottish offshore wind developer), with project teams based in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Orkney. The venture was formed in 2021 and secured its seabed Option Agreement from Crown Estate Scotland in January 2022 under the ScotWind leasing process.

The core asset is a fixed-foundation offshore wind farm targeting first power generation by 2029–2030, designed to produce up to 2GW of renewable electricity — sufficient to power more than two million UK homes. Supporting infrastructure includes up to two onshore cable landfalls, an onshore substation, and up to five export circuits to connect to the National Grid at Caithness under a secured grid connection agreement. Ancillary programmes include a £105 million supply chain development commitment (enhanced to £140 million via third-party match funding, targeting 60% UK content with 40% from Scotland), a £1 million Offshore Wind Research and Innovation Programme led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), and a £1.2 million STEM education initiative delivered with the University of the Highlands and Islands. A separate EMEC-administered innovation call mechanism offers up to £300,000 per applicant for novel offshore wind solutions.

The business model relies on long-term Contracts for Difference (CfD) awarded through UK Government auctions, providing revenue certainty for the multi-billion pound capital programme. Electricity will be transmitted via the National Grid under the secured Caithness connection. The customer base is structurally concentrated on a single offtake counterparty (UK Government via CfD) and a single transmission counterparty (National Grid), with community-level stakeholder engagement across Caithness, Sutherland, and Orkney. As of June 2025, the project has secured both onshore planning permission from The Highland Council (June 2024) and offshore consent from Scottish Ministers (June 2025), becoming the first ScotWind project to achieve both regulatory milestones.

Name

West of Orkney Windfarm

Legal name

Offshore Wind Power Ltd

Website

https://westoforkney.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

West of Orkney Windfarm is a joint venture developing a 2GW offshore wind farm with up to 125 turbines, 30km west of Orkney, Scotland. Led by Corio Generation, TotalEnergies, and RIDG, it targets first power by 2029–2030 to supply renewable electricity to the UK national grid via CfD contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Offshore Wind Energy Generation

NAICS

Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Offshore Wind Power Generation (Fixed-Bottom) (EUACAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wind Farm Development & Permitting (Greenfield/Brownfield) (EUACAFAE), Offshore Wind Project Development & Leasing (EUAMACAB), Wind Farm Ownership & Operations (IPP/Utility-Owned Asset Operations) (EUACAFAF)

Keywords

• Offshore wind energy
• Wind power generation
• Renewable energy infrastructure
• Offshore wind development
• Grid transmission infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Electricity Generation and Sales: The windfarm will generate up to 2GW of renewable electricity for sale to the national grid, powering the equivalent of more than 2 million homes. Revenue will be generated through long-term CfD (Contract for Difference) contracts with the UK Government, providing revenue certainty for the multi-billion pound investment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

West of Orkney Windfarm is developing a 2GW offshore wind farm located approximately 30km west of Orkney Mainland and 25km north of the Sutherland coast, comprising up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations in waters up to 60 metres deep. The project also includes associated onshore transmission infrastructure to connect the windfarm to the national grid in Caithness. Electricity generated will be sold under long-term Contracts for Difference (CfD) to supply renewable power to the UK national grid.

Product overview

The West of Orkney Windfarm is a single, large-scale offshore wind power generation project developed as a joint venture between Corio Generation, TotalEnergies, and RIDG. The project comprises a 2GW offshore wind farm with up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations located 30km west of Orkney, supported by onshore transmission infrastructure including cable landfalls, substations, and export circuits. Key supporting initiatives include a £105 million supply chain development programme, a £1 million offshore wind research and innovation programme managed by EMEC, and a STEM outreach programme led by UHI. The project targets 60% UK content with 40% from Scotland, with first power scheduled for 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• West of Orkney Windfarm (2GW offshore wind farm) A 2GW offshore wind farm located approximately 30km west of Orkney Mainland and 25km from the north Sutherland coast, comprising up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations in waters up to 60 metres deep. Generation output is intended for sale under long-term Contracts for Difference to supply renewable electricity to the UK national grid, equivalent to powering more than two million homes.
• Onshore Transmission Infrastructure Onshore transmission assets required to connect the West of Orkney Windfarm to the national transmission network in Caithness, including up to two cable landfalls, an onshore substation and up to five associated export circuits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2GW capacity generating enough electricity to power 2 million homes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2022Exclusive innovation and demonstration partnership. EMEC leads a £1 million Offshore Wind Research and Innovation Programme for the project, seeking novel solutions to deliver offshore wind faster, cheaper and at lower risk. The programme has already selected winners including Trios Renewables, Seaview Sensing, and Next Ocean.
• Crown Estate ScotlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Secured Option Agreement through ScotWind leasing process in January 2022. The project lies wholly within the N1 Plan Option area designated by Crown Estate Scotland as suitable for commercial scale offshore wind development.
• Corio GenerationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist offshore wind business leading the consortium. Corio Generation brings technical expertise in offshore wind development, financing, and project delivery capabilities. The project is being led by Corio Generation alongside TotalEnergies and RIDG.
• TotalEnergiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal multi-energy company providing financial strength and technical capabilities to the project. TotalEnergies brings experience from global energy projects to support the development and long-term operation of the windfarm.
• RIDG (Renewables Infrastructure Development Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish offshore wind developer with deep roots in the local region. RIDG contributes local knowledge and understanding of Scottish offshore wind development requirements to the consortium.
• UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership with £1.2 million STEM programme funding. UHI delivers outreach programme to early years and primary schools across Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, and other regions, with full-time coordinators supported by the project.
• ORE CatapultsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates £125,000 Fit 4 Renewables scheme to support skills development and training for the offshore wind supply chain in Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney.
• National GridcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrid connection agreement secured for connection in Caithness, enabling electricity generated by the windfarm to be transmitted to the national grid.
• The Highland CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved planning permission in principle for onshore works (June 2024) and indicated no objection to offshore plans (March 2025). Key regulatory consultee for the project.
• Orkney Islands CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBacked the project's offshore plans in March 2024. Key local authority stakeholder for the project located west of Orkney Mainland.
• Port of Cromarty FirthsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey port facility for the rollout of offshore wind, playing a key role in the supply chain infrastructure supporting the project.
• Scrabster Harbour TrustsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic port partner preparing infrastructure for future offshore wind operations. Port manager Sandy Mackie has outlined vision for Scrabster's role in the project.
• Orkney Renewable Energy ForumsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoined the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum to engage with the local renewable energy community and contribute to regional energy development.
• Caithness Chamber of CommercesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoined Caithness Chamber of Commerce to build relationships with local businesses and support supply chain development in the region.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EDF Renewables: EDF Renewables is developing the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm off Scotland and operates the Blyth offshore wind demonstrator. It is a direct peer in UK fixed-bottom offshore wind with shared supply chain and consenting requirements.
• SSE Renewables: SSE Renewables is the UK's largest renewable energy developer and a lead partner in multiple ScotWind projects (e.g. Dogger Bank, Berwick Bank). It is a directly comparable UK offshore wind developer competing for the same CfD allocation rounds, supply chain capacity and grid connections.
• Corio Generation: Corio Generation is the lead consortium partner in West of Orkney and is itself a specialist offshore wind developer with a global portfolio (e.g. Greater Changhua in Taiwan, Blue Wind in Japan). It is a direct peer in offshore wind development, financing and project delivery.
• Ocean Winds (EDP / Engie JV): Ocean Winds is the joint offshore wind vehicle of EDP and Engie and is developing the Moray West and Moray East projects in Scottish waters. It is a directly comparable offshore wind developer operating in the same Scottish regulatory and supply chain ecosystem.
• Iberdrola (ScottishPower Renewables): ScottishPower Renewables is developing the East Anglia Hub (EA1N, EA2, EA3) and is a major UK offshore wind developer with operations directly comparable to West of Orkney, including a ScotWind option in the same leasing round.

Broad incumbents

• RWE Renewables: RWE is one of the world's largest offshore wind developers with UK projects including Sofia and Triton Knoll. It competes with West of Orkney for UK CfD allocations, port infrastructure, and Tier 1 turbine supply.
• Equinor: Equinor is the developer of Hywind Scotland (the world's first floating offshore wind farm) and Hywind Tampen, and is a major North Sea operator. While its UK floating wind focus differs from West of Orkney's fixed-bottom approach, it competes for the same UK supply chain, ports and policy attention.
• Ørsted: Ørsted is the global offshore wind market leader and operates multiple UK projects (Hornsea, Race Bank, Walney). Although broader in geographic scope, it competes directly with West of Orkney for UK CfD contracts, OEM slots and grid capacity.
• Vattenfall: Vattenfall is developing the Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas offshore wind farms in the UK and operates European offshore portfolios. As a major European utility with deep offshore wind capability, it is a broad incumbent competing in the same UK regulatory and CfD framework.

Emerging players

• Masdar: Masdar is the Abu Dhabi-based renewables developer actively entering UK offshore wind (e.g. partnership with RWE on Dogger Bank South). As a newer entrant scaling up its offshore wind portfolio, it represents an emerging competitor in the same UK market and policy framework.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnlvr1h7IJMX8aSVi67lZ0w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/west-of-orkney-windfarm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about West of Orkney Windfarm