Fieldfisher's renewable energy team has acted for Simply Blue Energy on their deal with Subsea 7 to develop a 200MW floating wind project, off the north-east coast of Scotland. 

The companies have formed a joint venture partnership, where Subsea 7 has a minority interest, to develop a pre-commercial project.

The Salamander project, off Peterhead, will require a lease from Crown Estate Scotland, under the Offshore Wind Sectoral Marine Plan for innovation and oil and gas decarbonisation.

With Salamander, Simply Blue’s current pipeline of projects in the UK could potentially deliver up to 60% of the 1GW by 2030 floating wind target set by the UK government in 2020.

Locations

Sam Roch-Perks of Simply Blue said: “Scotland is one of the best locations on the planet for the development of floating wind projects.

“As a leading floating wind developer, we want to contribute to the development of this market. Despite best intentions, previous projects have not achieved the hoped-for regional supply chain benefits, but we believe that for the supply chain to capitalise on the opportunities from ScotWind, a stepping-stone project like Salamander is needed.

John Evans, CEO of Subsea 7, added: “Subsea 7 has a long track record of successfully delivering offshore energy projects which positions us well to support Simply Blue Energy at this early stage of the Salamander project.

The Salamander project plans to use a floating platform concept that includes several innovations to allow this technology to be manufactured quickly with a high local content.

Next generation

Feilim O’Caoimh, corporate partner and head of Fieldfisher's Dublin renewables team, said: "Floating wind farms are the next generation of wind technology and will support the accelerated deployment of renewable energy globally."

Feilim was supported on the transaction by corporate solicitor Jamie Woodcock.