The offshore wind industry just witnessed a strategic shake-up as Odfjell Oceanwind announced on August 26, 2025, that it has acquired an 80% stake in the Salamander floating offshore wind farm in the UK from Orsted. While the deal value remains undisclosed, the acquisition marks a major leap in Odfjell Oceanwind’s mission to scale commercial floating offshore wind technology. This development signals not just a business transaction but a turning point for the future of floating wind innovation in the UK and beyond.

The Salamander project, a 100 MW floating offshore wind farm located 35 km off Peterhead on Scotland’s East Coast, is set to be a demonstration platform for next-generation wind technology. With Simply Blue Group and Subsea7 retaining the remaining 20% stake, Odfjell Oceanwind will collaborate closely with them to advance the project. The site will utilize Odfjell Oceanwind’s proprietary Deepsea Star semisubmersible foundation, tailored for turbines over 15 MW in capacity and capable of withstanding some of the harshest marine environments.

This project also holds a unique advantage with its awarded Exclusivity Agreement under Crown Estate Scotland’s INTOG leasing round and a secured Section 36 consent from the Scottish Government. Together, these milestones place Salamander at the forefront of projects that blend innovation with regulatory readiness.

For Odfjell Oceanwind, this acquisition is more than just a foothold in UK waters—it complements their broader technological roadmap. The company is already progressing with its ScaleWind project in Norway, where a full-scale floating turbine is set for deployment by 2028. The UK’s favorable net zero policies and strong investor environment provide fertile ground for scaling up, especially since Odfjell Oceanwind’s affiliated companies have maintained operations in the region since the 1980s.

With offshore construction expected to begin in Q2 2028 and commissioning by Q4 2029, the Salamander project represents a pivotal testbed. From seabed preparation to turbine installation and cable deployment, the development will not only push engineering boundaries but also build critical early capacity within the Scottish supply chain.

Beyond technology, Salamander is strategically designed to participate in the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. This mechanism ensures renewable energy projects can compete fairly for funding while maintaining affordable electricity for consumers. The inclusion of a potential battery energy storage system further strengthens the project’s role in grid stability and clean energy integration.

As Odfjell Oceanwind takes the reins, Salamander is set to play a dual role: accelerating the commercialization of floating offshore wind while positioning Scotland as a leader in the global energy transition. For energy professionals, investors, and policymakers alike, this project is more than a milestone—it’s a glimpse into the next era of offshore renewable energy.

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