Zone Identified

In 2019, Flotation Energy identified a promising area within the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) as the basis for what would become the Green Volt floating offshore wind project. This area was characterised by the presence of existing oil and gas platforms with long remaining field lives and high electrical loads. From the developer’s perspective, these attributes made the location particularly suitable for an electrification concept in which offshore renewable power could substitute for conventional gas-fired generation that had historically supplied these assets. The zone was deemed an optimal starting point because it presented a clear opportunity to use floating offshore wind to displace large-scale, inefficient gas-fired power generation with cleaner electricity produced close to demand. By selecting an area already hosting major oil and gas infrastructure, the concept aligned directly with the objectives of the North Sea Transition Deal, which seeks to reduce emissions from offshore production while maintaining energy security. This early area identification provided the strategic foundation for Green Volt’s subsequent development steps, including environmental surveys, regulatory engagement, and leasing under Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) round. It effectively framed Green Volt as a targeted decarbonisation project for the North Sea’s offshore energy system rather than a standalone power project, shaping its role in supporting Scotland’s and the UK’s wider net zero ambitions.