Deepwater Wind Testing Facility Near Orkney Moves Closer to Reality

A major step forward has been taken in the development of a deepwater and floating offshore wind test facility in UK waters, strengthening the nation’s ability to deliver the next generation of offshore wind projects.

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has launched an 18-month programme to progress its proposed DeepWind test site from concept through to implementation. The programme is supported by 50% match funding from The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator and builds on earlier concept design work undertaken by EMEC.

As the UK’s offshore wind sector continues to move into deeper waters, the need for realistic, high-energy test environments has never been greater. Developers require sites that closely mirror the metocean conditions expected at future commercial projects, enabling robust technology testing, risk reduction, and accelerated deployment.

EMEC has highlighted that existing European test sites do not adequately reflect the conditions faced by projects in the UK development pipeline. This gap presents challenges for technology validation and investment confidence—challenges the DeepWind site is designed to address.

A potential location approximately 20 km west of Orkney has been identified, offering suitable water depths, seabed characteristics, and wind conditions representative of future UK floating wind developments.

The £500,000 programme will focus on feasibility assessments, design scoping, and extensive industry engagement to define the infrastructure and operational requirements of the site. Early-stage environmental activities will also be undertaken, including bathymetric and sub-bottom surveys, alongside monitoring of bird and marine life. This work will help inform future consenting and ensure the site aligns with environmental and regulatory expectations from the outset.

For the UK, the benefits are significant.

The DeepWind facility has the potential to:

• De-risk floating wind technologies before commercial deployment
• Attract inward investment and strengthen confidence across the supply chain
• Support UK manufacturers, developers, and innovators in bringing solutions to market faster
• Reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore and floating wind innovation

By providing a test environment tailored to UK conditions, the DeepWind site could play a critical role in accelerating the transition to clean energy, supporting skilled jobs, and delivering long-term economic value across coastal and industrial regions.