Orsted A/S : Ørsted announces intention to bid in ScotWind leasing round

As part of this process Ørsted has successfully secured a 1.8 GW grid connection in Scotland from National Grid ESO for use should it secure seabed rights following the ScotWind leasing round.

Duncan Clark, Head of Region UK for Ørsted is looking forward to bringing to bear Ørsted's decades of experience in the UK and overseas, working alongside businesses and stakeholders to help maximise the potential of the offshore wind industry in Scotland:

'Scotland has one of the most ambitious net zero targets in the world and as a company who is committed to creating a world that runs on green energy, we applaud that ambition and commitment.

We have seen the positive, transformative impact of our offshore wind development in providing clean, cheap energy for homes and businesses; investing in our supply chain and opening access to opportunities across the globe; and creating new jobs and skills that leave a lasting legacy in communities across the country. This success is something we are very keen to replicate in Scotland.

'We are a global business, operating in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and the opportunity in Scotland is one that we are particularly excited about. Scotland's commitment to renewable energy is matched by some of the best potential for offshore wind in the world.

'The ScotWind leasing round is a crucial step in the Scottish Government's plan to deliver up to 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and willbe pivotal in harnessing this natural resource to deliver the country's ambitious climate change targets as well as contributing to a truly green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.'

Ørsted is one of the world's largest renewable energy companies and in 2020 was ranked the most sustainable company in the world. It is the global leader in offshore wind with 7.6 GW installed and more than 25 years of experience.

The UK leads the world in offshore wind deployment and Ørsted is also the UK leader in offshore wind with 4.9GW installed, enough electricity to power over 4.2 million homes. It owns and operates the world's largest offshore windfarm, Hornsea One, which produces 1.2GW of electricity. Hornsea Two is currently under construction and due for completion in 2022 - at 1.4GW, when complete, it will overtake Hornsea One to become the world's largest operational offshore windfarm.

Over the last decade, Ørsted has invested over £10bn constructing its 12 operational UK offshore wind farmswith operational hubs in Barrow-in-Furness, Liverpool, Grimsby and Brightlingsea. This investment is helping to transform coastal communities across the UK through investment in local facilities, the creation of high-skilled jobs and the development of competitive, export-orientated local supply chains.