Frequently Asked Questions

There are 20 sites around Scotland’s coast which have been leased by the Crown Estate Scotland to companies seeking to construct offshore wind farms

Construction of Scapa Deep Water Quay is due to commence in 2024 and be complete by 2028. There should be some early works at Orkney Logistics Base to create around 3 hectares of laydown area in 2024 with the main and final construction taking place in 2028 and 2029.

It is estimated that Scapa Deep Water Quay will cost in the region of £230 Million and Orkney Logistics Base will cost in the region of £80 Million.

Orkney Islands Council has committed £4 Million to working up the projects to the present stage. Investment is being sought now from UK and Scottish Government as well as other sources to fund the projects. 

Orkney businesses will benefit from additional and new activity associated with the projects. This will create the opportunities for existing and new businesses to grow. There will be a considerable amount of inward investment in the supply chain which will flow through the whole of the local economy.

A Business Case has been prepared, and work is advanced in developing this to a Final Business Case. This work quantifies the forecast number of jobs associated with both the construction and operation of the new infrastructures. It is estimated that there will be more than 100 new full time jobs at Scapa Deep Water Quay and 75 at Orkney Logistics Base once the projects are fully operational.

Many sites were identified and assessed against industry minimum design and operational criteria during the development of the Orkney Harbours Masterplan Phase 1. One of the key reasons why Scapa Deep Water Quay is located at Deep Dale is because this location on the coast of Scapa Flow is very close to the required depth of water, and has steep rising land suitable for sourcing on site stone fill material required for large reclamation from the sea to create a large laydown area.

Very little stone and rock is required to be brought on site for Scapa Deep Water Quay due to the type of construction method, using cut and fill from the land. For Orkney Logistics Base, it is anticipated a local quarry will supply stone when required, whilst ensuring that existing local supply requirements are not compromised.

There will be some additional road traffic particularly during construction. However post-construction there will be only a small increase in traffic at Scapa Deep Water Quay generated by employees and the need for supplies. The majority of activity at Scapa Deep Water Quay will be by sea – offshore wind components coming in by vessels and going out by vessel. During infilling at Hatston there would be an increase in HGV traffic on the Finstown Road.

Orkney Island Council have undertaken a wave study and this has been shared with offshore wind developers who have undertaken satisfactory vessel down time analysis both for anticipated busy spring  and summer periods and also during quieter winter periods. For the smaller pilot and tug vessels being used all year round and based at Scapa Deep Water Quay additional wave protection has been designed based on the initial wave study results.

The plan is to have shore power at both locations. This would include supplying Scapa Deep Water Quay with substantial shore power to enable ultra-large vessels to lay over on shore power.

Lyness was considered but water depths are much shallower than is required for the larger vessels to serve the offshore wind projects. There are technical difficulties to achieve suitable safe navigation turning and access requirements. In addition, the existing quay infrastructure would struggle to accommodate the increase deck loading capacity and without undermining the existing pier.