Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, in partnership with Norwegian energy giant Equinor, has successfully completed maintenance on Hywind Scotland, the world’s first commercial floating wind farm.
The maintenance project, which reconnected all five of the farm’s turbines to the grid, highlights the growing importance of floating wind technology in the global push for cleaner energy.
To complete the campaign, the turbines were towed to Wergeland Base in Gulen, Norway, to undergo maintenance. This was the safest, most efficient and proven method, as towing the turbines to shore allowed the operations to take place in a controlled, sheltered environment.
The Hywind Scotland wind farm, located 25 kilometers off the coast of Peterhead in northeast Scotland, features a 30-megawatt (MW) capacity, capable of powering approximately 35,000 homes annually. Through this collaboration.
Husain Al Meer, Masdar’s Director, Global Offshore Wind & UK, said: “With our track record for pioneering projects using cutting-edge cleanenergy technologies, Masdar is proud of our longstanding partnership with Equinor on Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. The successful completion of this maintenance on Hywind Scotland ensures that it will continue to deliver impressive performance and demonstrate the viability and potential of floating offshore wind as a source for renewable energy.”
Trine Ulla, Equinor VP of UK Operations, said: “The successful completion of the maintenance campaign on Hywind Scotland is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our teams and partners. As the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Scotland has demonstrated the immense potential of floating wind. Through this maintenance campaign, we’ve gained valuable insights that will help us refine maintenance practices and optimise this technology for the future. By sharing our learnings, we aim to contribute to the growth and development of the floating wind industry.”
“Masdar and Equinor are not only contributing to clean energy generation but also enhancing operational efficiency and the long-term performance of this pioneering renewable technology,” said a LinkedIn post by Masdar.
From operational data, it was previously determined that a heavy maintenance campaign for the wind farm’s five turbines was required.
As the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Scotland, located off the coast of Peterhead, Scotland, has achieved a capacity factor of 54%.With a total generating capacity of 30 MW, the floating wind farm utilises a spar-substructure concept and produces enough electricity to meet the needs of around 35,000 UK households.
In addition to Hywind Scotland, Equinor is the operator for Hywind Tampen: the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm. The wind farm consists of 11 wind turbines based on the floating Hywind concept. Developed by Equinor, Hywind Tampen is also the world’s first floating wind farm built specifically to power offshore oil and gas installations and is now supplying electricity to Equinor’s oil and gas fields, Snorre and Gullfaks, in the Norwegian North Sea.
Masdar, a leading player in global renewable energy projects, has emerged as a key partner in Hywind Scotland’s ongoing success. Known for its significant investments in clean energy projects worldwide, Masdar’s involvement in the floating wind farm demonstrates its commitment to advancing cutting-edge renewable technologies.
The company has rapidly expanded its global portfolio and is playing a central role in energy transition projects that align with global decarbonisation goals.
According to Equinor, Hywind Scotland displaces 63,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, making it an essential part of the UK’s renewable energy strategy and helping the country meet its ambitious climate goals.
The floating turbines, tethered to the seabed with mooring lines, can operate in waters up to 800 meters deep, unlocking vast areas for potential wind energy development.
Facts about Hywind Scotland:
- The world’s first floating offshore wind farm, with 5 turbines
- Pilot park covering around 4 square kilometres
- Installed capacity: 30 MW
- Rotor diameter 154 m
- Maximum height, base to turbine: 253 m
- Water depth: 95-120 m
- Spar-type substructure
- Standard offshore wind turbine
- Powering ~35,000 UK homes
- Export cable length: Ca. 30 km
- Average wave height: 1.8 m
- Suitable for harsh conditions, simple three-line mooring system, patented motion control reduces fatigue, increases production.
