The £10.9 billion Aspen floating wind project is believed to create 1,000+ UK jobs and transform Scotland into a global offshore wind hub.
A game-changing floating wind farm in the North Sea is set to create more than 1,000 high-skilled jobs, led by Cerulean Winds and a powerhouse consortium including NOV, Siemens Energy, Bilfinger and Ocean Installers. Cerulean Winds has revealed that its Aspen Wind project, part of a £10.9 billion investment over 50 years, will be the cornerstone of the UK’s renewable energy transformation.
At the heart of it all is the Ardersea Energy Transition Facility – the UK’s first center dedicated to the assembly and operation of floating offshore wind (FLOW). This strategic site will anchor an inland supply chain that will drive long-term growth, sustain investment onshore and position the UK as a world leader in floating wind technology.
The Aspen project is set to interconnect three floating wind farms in the central North Sea, which together set to use 300 turbines and generate up to 3 gigawatts of electricity. By 2028, Aspen is expected to be connected to the UK onshore grid via Aberdeenshire, a major step towards the government’s clean energy targets.
The Ardshear port in the Highlands will act as the wind farm’s assembly and supply hub, while strengthening the UK’s floating offshore wind supply chain. The strategic location is set to create more than 1,000 direct jobs in Scotland and attract significant inward investment, as Cerulean Winds partners with global companies such as Siemens Energy and NOV.
In the Voice of Cerulean Winds
Dan Jackson, founding director of Cerulean Winds, said: “The Aspen project has the potential to not only create thousands of skilled jobs but also billions in investment, helping to further cement the UK’s role as a global leader in renewable energy.”
Aspen project will be the global leader in renewable energy
UK Energy Secretary Michael Shanks is set to visit the port on the 12th May of 2025 of Ardersea to meet the Cerulean Winds team and witness the clean energy revolution. Shanks stressed: “This project is a vital part of Scotland’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector, which will bring good jobs and economic growth to the region as we work towards our clean energy targets by 2030.”
This project will be the game changer for 2030 clean energy targets.
Project Summary – Aspen Floating Wind at a Glance
Project Name: Aspen Floating Wind Project
Location: Central North Sea, UK
Total Investment: £10.9 billion over 50 years
Green Jobs Created: 1,000+ (including 100 Apprenticeships)
Lead Developer: Cerulean Winds
Consortium Partners: NOV, Siemens Energy, Bilfinger, Ocean Installers, Haventus
Key Facility: Ardersea Energy Transition Facility (Scotland)
Economic Impact: £4.1 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) to UK Economy
Output Capacity: 1 GW (Aspen) – Part of Cerulean’s 3-site rollout
Milestone Visit: Visited by Energy Minister Michael Shanks on 12 May 2025
About Cerulean Offshore Wind
Cerulean Winds is the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, delivering clean electricity to industrial users and is pioneering the future of offshore renewable energy by enabling significant energy export capacity. As a leader in the UK’s offshore renewable grid, we are committed to accelerating the transition to net zero globally.
To that end, they are combining technological innovation with decades of expertise in marine, Deepwater and floating structures, combined with proven capabilities in renewable, offshore operations and industrial-scale delivery. Their repeatable development model is not only reducing reliance on fossil fuels but is also working to create thousands of jobs that will fuel local economies during the energy transition.
They have strong Tier 1 industry partnerships. With deep experience in project finance, capital structures and infrastructure investment, Cerulean Winds provides scalable, bankable solutions at the forefront of clean energy innovation.
Aspen Floating Wind Farm – Project Significance
The Floating Wind Project Approval, advantages and Scopes
- The Crown Estate is secured by Scotland under the INTOG (Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas) Lease Round (March 2023).
- The 50-year option agreement covers 333 km² in the central North Sea.
- The first phase of Cerulean Winds’ North Sea Renewables Grid (NSRG) will deliver over 3GW of electricity across three locations: Aspen, Beech and Sidray.
Strategic Policy Alignment, Economic and Workforce Impact
Strategic Policy Alignment, Economic and Workforce Impact
- The project will be fully aligned with UK and Scottish Government targets including Clean Power 2030 and the North Sea Transition Deal.
- Expected to create over 1,000 direct jobs, including apprenticeships.
- Committed to maximizing engagement in the Scottish and UK supply chain from the outset.
- Supports long-term regional economic growth and clean energy leadership.
Permits, National significance and Consent
- GoBe consent supports their strategy; EIA submission scheduled for summer 2025.
- No significant environmental constraints identified to date.
- Will be a key contributor to the UK Government’s 5GW Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) target by 2030.
- Positioned to serve as a global model for scalable, clean industrial power generation
Last word of Aspen Offshore Wind Project
Lastly, Cerulean Winds, with deep expertise in offshore engineering, strong industry partnerships, and proven financial capabilities, is advancing the future of floating offshore wind through clean energy solutions that create jobs, boost local economies, and accelerate the global transition to net zero.
