Floating offshore wind, supply chains and Scotland’s opportunity | Clare Lavelle, Buchan Offshore

In this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with Clare Lavelle, Project Director at Buchan Offshore Wind, about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of floating offshore wind. Clare explains why floating wind is critical to unlocking deeper-water offshore resources and how Buchan Offshore Wind is helping establish a new industrial opportunity for Scotland through locally manufactured concrete floating foundations. She also discusses the realities of delivering a commercial-scale first-of-a-kind project, from supply chains and infrastructure to regulation, grid constraints and community engagement. The conversation covers: 🌊 Why floating offshore wind is essential for deeper-water markets 🏗️ Buchan Offshore Wind’s concrete floating foundation strategy ⚙️ Building Scottish supply chains, ports and long-term industrial capability ⚡ Grid, transmission charging and project delivery challenges 🤖 How data, digital technologies and AI can support offshore wind development 🌍 Scotland’s opportunity to become a global leader in floating offshore wind Guest spotlight 💡 Clare Lavelle: Project Director at Buchan Offshore Wind, leading one of the world's most advanced commercial-scale floating offshore wind projects. Clare has extensive experience delivering major offshore energy developments and is focused on advancing floating wind, strengthening UK supply chains and supporting the growth of Scotland's offshore renewable energy sector. About us Hypercube delivers CAIRN, the decision intelligence platform for the energy sector. We help renewable developers, utilities and energy innovators turn complex operational data into faster decisions, optimised performance and measurable business outcomes through AI. 🚀 Visit our website: https://wearehypercube.com/ 🚀 Join the Beyond Energy Community: https://wearehypercube.com/join-the-c... 🚀 Follow us on LinkedIn:   / wearehypercube   Chapter markers [00:00] Meet Clare Lavelle – Project Director at Buchan Offshore Wind [03:23] Leading major infrastructure projects [09:51] What makes floating offshore wind different [11:58] Scotland’s floating wind opportunity [17:57] Concrete foundations and local manufacturing [22:27] Building supply chains for floating offshore wind [26:08] Consent, investment and project delivery [31:19] Risk management and data challenges [37:51] AI, domain knowledge and project efficiency [41:04] Transmission charging and grid reform [47:37] Community engagement and local skills [51:44] What success looks like for Scottish floating wind [53:30] Key milestones for Buchan Offshore Wind [55:20] Data centres, AI demand and energy planning