Planning Consent Awarded

Buchan Offshore Wind is targeting a key regulatory milestone in 2026, when the Scottish Ministers are expected to determine the project’s offshore planning consent applications. The project submitted its offshore planning application in August 2025, seeking consent under the Electricity Act 1989 alongside Marine Licence applications under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. These applications are now under consideration by the relevant authorities and consultees, supported by Environmental Impact Assessments and extensive technical studies covering offshore, landfall, cable routing and substation siting. The decision in 2026 is framed as a major milestone in the project’s development trajectory, with the newly appointed Head of Consents and Land, Debbie Olson, responsible for steering the project through this determination phase. The offshore consent decision will be made by the Scottish Ministers and is central to allowing the near 1 GW floating offshore wind farm, located 75 km northeast of Fraserburgh, to progress towards later milestones such as Final Investment Decision in 2029 and the transition into construction by the end of the decade. The consent package includes the core offshore development consent under the Electricity Act and associated Marine Licences, forming the legal basis for constructing and operating up to 70 floating turbines on concrete foundations. A positive determination in 2026 would follow seabed rights secured in 2022 and intensive engagement with stakeholders and statutory consultees, and would mark the end of the primary offshore consenting phase and the start of pre-construction delivery planning.