Thistle Wind Partners submits plans for Bowdun offshore wind farm

The submission covers the elements from the landfall point near Benholm, underground cable corridor, onshore substation, and proposed connection to the planned Hurlie substation at Fetteresso Forest, where the wind farm-supplied power enters the National Grid.

This project milestone follows the completion of a comprehensive optioneering exercise, environmental impact assessment and extensive public consultations and engagement with local communities and stakeholders in North East Scotland.

It also comes after a decision earlier this month to establish an operations and maintenance (O&M) base in North East Scotland, delivering £360 million of spend and around 60 long-term, high-quality jobs.

Bowdun offshore wind farm, being delivered by Thistle Wind Partners, will deliver power to more than 1 million homes once operational. The project’s offshore consent submission will follow in 2026.

Ian Taylor, Bowdun Project Director, said: “Submitting our onshore application is a significant step forward for Bowdun and the region. We’ve worked closely with communities and stakeholders to shape these plans, ensuring they are responsible, clearly explained and designed to bring long-term benefits to the North East.

“With our O&M investment and our award-winning supply chain programme, Bowdun aims to anchor new jobs, skills and opportunity in the region as Scotland accelerates its clean energy transition.”

Bowdun’s Supply Chain Pathways Programme aims to break down barriers for Scottish firms, including oil and gas specialists, entering the offshore wind industry, which is often dominated by major ‘Tier 1’ contractors with established supply chains.

The project will use its partner DEME Offshore – a Tier 1 contractor with experience installing 2500 offshore wind turbines globally – to pre-qualify local firms as suppliers. These companies will then be able to compete for work not only on Bowdun, but also on other DEME Offshore projects in the UK and internationally.

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