Buchan Offshore Wind has officially opened its new Glasgow base, marking a significant step forward for one of Scotland’s most advanced commercial scale floating offshore wind developments.
The visit by Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP on Thursday 19 March 2026 highlighted the project’s expanding team and its potential to unlock largescale manufacturing and long term economic value for Scotland.
Speaking at the opening, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: 'I’m delighted that Buchan Offshore Wind has opened a new base in Glasgow. It’s a real marker of momentum in our clean power mission to back good jobs and supply-chain opportunities, bringing more of that work and expertise together here in Scotland.
'With plans to develop floating foundation manufacturing capacity in the north of Scotland later this decade, this is exactly the kind of long-term industrial vision we want to see, strengthening energy security and supporting communities as we build a clean powered future.'
A pioneering project
Clare Lavelle, Project Director for Buchan Offshore Wind emphasised the importance of the office opening as part of a wider national opportunity.
She said: 'The United Kingdom – and Scotland in particular – are showing that we can be genuine global clean energy leaders. With our deep waters, powerful winds, range of ports and decades of offshore expertise operating in the North Sea, it’s clear Scotland is the natural home for this new global industry to develop and grow.
'Buchan Offshore Wind is a pioneering development – one that showcases how Scotland can harness its natural advantages to create a globally competitive floating offshore wind industry. Today’s office opening marks the next step in that journey.'
Delivering home-grown energy and long-term economic value
Buchan Offshore Wind is developing a near 1 GW commercial scale floating offshore wind farm, located 75 km northeast of Fraserburgh, comprising up to 70 floating turbines on concrete foundations manufactured in Scotland.
Once operational, the project will generate enough clean energy to power over one million homes, contributing significantly to the UK’s long term energy security.
The project is also expected to create 2,900 jobs during construction and deliver more than £2 billion in economic value to Scotland over its lifetime.
Clare Lavelle added: 'Recent global events have shown that energy security is economic security. Homegrown floating offshore wind is now essential national infrastructure – providing secure and stable power for households and industry across the UK.'
During the visit Minister Shanks met Glasgow based team members in engineering and consenting and community benefits roles, hearing firsthand about the skills and innovation driving the project.
He also met with ports and supply chain companies preparing to deliver for the significant pipeline of floating offshore wind projects in Scottish waters.
The Minister was shown a model of BW Ideol’s patented Damping Pool® – the floating foundation technology that will help launch serial production of floating concrete foundations in the north of Scotland early next decade.
Catalysing a new Scottish manufacturing capability
Buchan Offshore Wind has set out an ambitious development timetable and a commitment to manufacturing in Scotland, which aligns with project partner BW Ideol’s proposed floating foundation manufacturing facility at Ardersier in the north of Scotland.
The new office, located in Glasgow city centre, will serve as a central base for project delivery, stakeholder engagement, industry and supply-chain collaboration and the continued progression of onshore and offshore development activities.
Source: Buchan Offshore Wind
