Muir Mhòr project continues to support careers in offshore wind

Scholarships worth a total of £10,000 have been awarded to Filoteea Moldovan and Shahim Asad, who are both studying for their Masters degrees at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Filoteea is studying for an MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Studies and Shahim is on the MSc Offshore Wind Energy course. Both are passionate about forging careers in the Scottish wind industry, which is at the heart of government plans to make the UK a clean energy superpower by 2030.

Four more students will be awarded similar scholarships over the next two years, as part of a £30,000 educational partnership between Muir Mhòr and the university. A £200,000 fund has already been established in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands. 

The initiative is part of the project’s commitment to enhancing the skills of the Scottish offshore wind workforce at all levels, starting with pupils of school age. In collaboration with Mintlaw Academy in Aberdeenshire, the Muir Mhòr project provides practical activities for students participating in the Girls in Energy course, offering young women real-world exposure to the energy industry. 

The project has already brought economic benefits to Scotland and the UK, awarding £15.7 million in contracts to UK companies, with £6.31 million to Scottish suppliers. 40% of spending has been with local suppliers in the East of Scotland.

Hannah Johnston, head of philanthropy at the University of Strathclyde, said:

“Strathclyde is dedicated to advocating and accelerating the transition to a net zero economy and society through our research and teaching, so we are delighted that Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm is investing in our Masters students to support and encourage their involvement in this important mission. ”

“These scholarships reward the recipients for their hard work, provide financial peace of mind, and incentivise them to excel in their studies, which have the potential to make a tangible difference to the wind industry in Scotland. ” 

“Our thanks go to all at Muir Mhòr, and we look forward to continuing this partnership, which is already creating such a positive impact.”

David Hinshelwood, project director for Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm, said:

“We’d like to offer our congratulations to Filoteea and Shahim on their scholarships, which we hope will act as a springboard to help them do great things in our industry. The revolution in floating offshore wind is all about the future, both in terms of its cutting-edge technology and in securing clean energy supplies for generations to come.

“Muir Mhòr is committed to improving the skills of the Scottish offshore wind workforce at all levels, and our partnership with Strathclyde is an excellent example. We want to ensure that the once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity presented by offshore wind is realised, helping to create a thriving, innovative, and sustainable green economy for current and future generations.”

The Muir Mhòr project exemplifies how clean energy initiatives not only reduce carbon emissions but also bring substantial benefits to local communities and economies. 

Find out more about Muir Mhòr’s partnership with the University of Strathclyde here. 

About Muir Mhòr

Muir Mhòr is a floating offshore wind farm project located off the east coast of Scotland. A joint venture between Vattenfall and Fred. Olsen Seawind, Muir Mhòr Offshore Wind Farm is leveraging decades of industry expertise to deliver one of the world’s first commercial scale floating offshore wind projects. 

Having been awarded seabed rights in the January 2022 Scotwind auction, the project is in development. In December 2024 two key consent applications were submitted for consideration by the relevant authorities. If the consent applications are approved in the next 9 to 12 months by the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council, Muir Mhòr could start generating clean power in the early 2030s.

Once operational the wind farm will be able to generate up to 1GW of clean power, enough to provide electricity for the equivalent of up to 1.2 million homes every year.