Arven was pleased to welcome a delegation of Shetland stakeholders to the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm in June, providing a valuable opportunity to explore how offshore wind can deliver long-term benefits for Shetland’s communities, economy, and workforce.

The visit, hosted in collaboration with Ocean Winds, brought together representatives from Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Shetland, Lerwick Port Authority, and Norn.

Moray West and Moray East, both owned and operated by Ocean Winds, have their O&M facilities based in Buckie and Fraserburgh, where the tour visited – gaining firsthand insight into the day-to-day requirements of running a large-scale offshore wind farm. The group also had the opportunity to visit the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm via Crew Transfer Vessel to see the windfarm up close.

Offshore wind in action
With Moray West’s final turbine installed at the end of last year, the site offers a clear view of the scale, complexity and coordination required in offshore wind development.

At the O&M facilities in Buckie and Fraserburgh, the delegation heard directly from operational staff about the critical role of control room operations and maintenance in ensuring the reliability and success of the wind farm, supporting long-term clean energy generation and the creation of skilled jobs.

O&M: a catalyst for local economic growth
The visit also highlighted the economic ripple effects of O&M bases. These facilities generate skilled jobs, support a wide range of local supply chain services, and help anchor long-term industry presence in coastal communities. For Shetland – with its strong maritime tradition and growing renewables sector – the opportunities are significant.

Looking ahead to Arven
The delegation also spent time with Ocean Winds and the Arven project team, gaining insight into the development-to-operations journey of Moray West. Discussions focused on how collaboration across Shetland can maximise the potential benefits of offshore wind for the local supply chain, workforce and communities.

“This visit was a great opportunity to see what offshore wind can deliver when communities, developers and government work together. It’s clear that Shetland has the skills, infrastructure and ambition to play a key role in this growing sector.” said Aaron Priest, Stakeholder Manager at Arven Offshore Wind Farm.