12 May 2025 – Ardersier, Scotland: Cerulean Winds has confirmed that its 1GW Aspen floating wind project in the UK’s Central North Sea is set to deliver more than 1,000 jobs, including 100 apprenticeships, and attract £10.9 billion in investment across its 50-year lifespan.
The Aspen project is being led by a consortium of globally recognised industrial partners with proven expertise in delivering large-scale offshore developments. Under a formal project charter, the group – NOV, Siemens Energy, Bilfinger, Ocean Installer, and Haventus (owner of the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility) has committed to:
- £1 billion in direct UK spending
- Nearly £1 billion in inward investment
- More than 1,000 UK-based jobs
Dan Jackson, Founding Director of Cerulean Winds, said:
“This project has the potential to support thousands of skilled jobs and billions in investment to the UK. From a base in Scotland, Cerulean Winds and our delivery partners want to grasp the opportunity of creating a floating offshore wind supply chain industrial base in the UK. Having our delivery partners already in place, working together to a shared goal, means that we’re able to accurately predict the benefits that Aspen can deliver.”
The Ardersier Energy Transition Facility will serve as the strategic hub for Aspen, becoming the UK’s first dedicated assembly, delivery, and operations centre for floating offshore wind (FLOW). By anchoring this key part of the supply chain in Scotland, the project aims to establish a fully integrated domestic industrial ecosystem, retaining long-term economic value within the UK.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks, who visited the facility today, praised the announcement:
“The clean energy transition is well underway in Scotland – thanks to state-of-the-art offshore wind projects like this one at the Port of Ardersier, that will help us deliver on our Plan for Change and clean power by 2030 mission. Today’s commitment from Cerulean Winds and its partners shows exactly how this transition will bring good jobs and growth to Scotland, as Britain’s fast-expanding renewable energy powerhouse.”
The £10.9 billion investment includes £5.9 billion during development and construction, and £100 million annually over 50 years of operation. The project is expected to generate £4.1 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy £2.8 billion of which will directly benefit Scotland.
Aspen is the first of three floating wind projects from Cerulean Winds alongside Beech and Cedar which together could feature up to 300 offshore turbines. Aspen will lead the rollout, contributing vital new capacity to help the UK meet its target of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.
