Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to some of the most common questions asked about the project.
- What is Caledonia?
Caledonia is an offshore wind farm that is being developed in the Moray Firth. Once constructed, the 2GW site, being developed by Ocean Winds as part of the Crown Estate Scotland ScotWind leasing round, will join Moray East and Moray West as the company’s third offshore windfarm in Scotland, doubling the energy generation of the Moray Firth.
- How much energy will Caledonia produce?
With expected capacity of 2GW, Caledonia will be capable of supplying around two million homes with green electricity. You can learn more about the project here.
- How has Caledonia assessed its environmental impact?
Caledonia has undertaken several environmental impact studies including onshore and offshore scoping reports. These surveys are vital for identifying and mitigating potential impacts of onshore and offshore infrastructure works on habitats and species. Currently in the development phase, the project team is focused on preparing Caledonia’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of its planning application.
The onshore and offshore scoping reports can be accessed here.
- How is Caledonia engaging with the public?
Caledonia held an extensive series of public consultation events across Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands to gather feedback on the project’s onshore and offshore proposals.
- How is Caledonia working with local supply chains?
Caledonia is targeting 60% local content. We aim to provide opportunities for the supply chain in Scotland to take advantage of Caledonia in development, construction, operation and maintenance phases. This includes using local ports for assembly and installation, localising operational hubs and investing in the people and infrastructure required to help support Scotland’s long-term offshore wind supply chain. If you are interested in becoming our supplier, please register on our supply chain portal here.
- Will fishing be allowed in the area surrounding Caledonia?
Ocean Winds has worked with the commercial fisheries sector in the Moray Firth since early development of Caledonia sister projects Moray East and Moray West. Caledonia is continuing to build on these relationships and has undertaken extensive data analysis to understand the type and volume of commercial fishing activity which takes place within the proposed offshore wind farm site. We will continue to use data from Moray East and Moray West to monitor the fishing activity that takes place within an operational offshore wind farm.
- Is Caledonia connected to Moray East and Moray West offshore wind farms?
The Caledonia project is an extension of Ocean Winds’ current portfolio in the Moray Firth which includes Moray East and Moray West.
The Moray Firth is already the home of commercial-scale offshore wind generation in Scotland. Caledonia is located to the immediate east of the Moray East wind farm and neighbours the Moray West site. Ocean Winds has had a presence here from the beginning of the area’s offshore wind development.
- Will Caledonia provide new job opportunities to the local area?
Moray East has created over 70 roles at Fraserburgh Harbour, with Moray West at Buckie Harbour set to employ similar numbers by 2025. Along with the Caledonia O&M team, Ocean Winds’ offshore projects in the Moray Firth are expected to create over 200 skilled operational roles in north-east Scotland, plus additional jobs in the supply chain.
- What is the project timeline for Caledonia?
2022: Ocean Winds awarded the rights to develop Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm. Offshore and onshore scoping reports submitted.
2023: Ecological and geotechnical surveys launched, and we held our first public consultations.
2024: Pre-application consultations held ahead of consent application submission in late 2024.
2025: Decision on consent award from Marine Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council
2027: Construction of the onshore elements for Caledonia will begin.
2028: Construction of the offshore elements for Caledonia will begin.
2030: Caledonia is planned to be operational, supplying two million homes with low-cost, low-carbon energy.