BP has claimed its bid for wind farm licenses could attract investments worth £10 billion to the Scottish wind industry and accelerate the country’s energy transition.
The energy giant has joined forces with German company EnBW to submit a bid for offshore wind acreage in the ScotWind leasing round, which closed last week.
The consortium has applied for a lease area off the east coast of Scotland that could support offshore wind projects with 2.9 gigawatts (GW) generating capacity.
In addition to making Scotland a “global leader in offshore wind”, BP promises to help the nation meet its legally binding target of net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
The oil and gas company will invest in clean power industries including green hydrogen production and electric vehicle (EV) charging.
BP believes a successful bid would attract multi-billion pound investments to the Scottish wind sector and in areas including ports, harbours and shipyards.
Dev Sanyal, BP’s executive vice president for gas and low carbon, said: “We want to harness the clean power from Scotland’s offshore wind and use our capabilities as an integrated energy company to accelerate the country’s EV charging network, build its hydrogen offering and strengthen its supporting infrastructure, including ports and harbours.”
The London-headquartered firm would also make Aberdeen its global offshore wind centre of excellence.
BP have signed an agreement with Forth Ports to invest £40 million in a planned Renewables Hub at the Port of Leith which aims to help create new opportunities and long term, high quality jobs supporting Scotland’s economic recovery and energy transition plans.
Both firms would also support and invest in a new skills capability accelerator developed by energy consultancy Xodus which will provide on-the-job project experience and formal learning.
The five-year, multi-million financial commitment includes creating entry-level energy transition roles, and the reskilling of hundreds of oil and gas workers, graduates and technicians with renewable sector capabilities.
According to BP these investments would support thousands of jobs in the Scottish energy sector and supply chain, and develop new energy transition jobs, skills and capabilities.
Dev Sanyal, bp’s executive vice president for gas and low carbon, said: “Through our bid we aim to do far more than only develop offshore wind – we believe it can help fuel Scotland’s wider energy transition. We want to harness the clean power from Scotland’s offshore wind and use our capabilities as an integrated energy company to accelerate the country’s EV charging network, build its hydrogen offering and strengthen its supporting infrastructure, including ports and harbours.
“This will all take the right skills and abilities. The bid would build on Scotland’s deep experience in offshore oil and gas, equipping its workforce and supply chain with renewable capabilities, including creating apprenticeships, and supporting thousands of jobs. All of this is aimed at helping generate community wealth and creating a just transition in which people and communities do not get left behind. BP has proudly been in Scotland for a century. We believe this bid has the power to support a resilient clean energy future for Scotland for the next century and beyond.”
Dr. Georg Stamatelopoulos, chief operating officer of generation and trading at EnBW said: “Our bid combines our established competence in offshore wind and bp’s leading North Sea experience. EnBW will bring its engineering know-how and track record as one of the leading offshore wind developers into the Scottish market.
“We are very keen to successfully further develop this project. Last year, we completed the largest German offshore wind project and are very confident in dealing with the complexity of this industry. With this background, we are looking forward to supporting a clean energy future for Scotland.”
In hopes of securing a successful award, and to engage the local supply chain, BP and EnBW have launched an online portal for the Scottish engineering and supply sector to take part in the developments.
ScotWind, organised by Crown Estate Scotland, is Scotland’s first offshore wind leasing round in more than a decade.
It saw more than a dozen companies ranging from big oil to renewables giants deliver bids to secure seabed rights around the Scottish coast.