Thistle Wind Partners (TWP) is an Edinburgh-based offshore wind developer established in 2022 following the awarding of ScotWind seabed leases by Crown Estate Scotland. The company is focused on developing large-scale offshore wind projects that support Scotland’s energy transition, strengthen domestic supply chain capability and create long-term economic opportunities. TWP is leading the development of the Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm project, a proposed fixed-foundation offshore wind development located in the North Sea off the south Aberdeenshire coast. The company also previously led the development of the Ayre Offshore Wind Farm project. Since its establishment, TWP has prepared and submitted four major consent applications across its ScotWind portfolio, covering both the onshore and offshore elements of the Bowdun and Ayre projects. Through its projects, TWP is committed to supporting investment in Scottish industry, infrastructure, communities and skilled employment, while helping build a strong domestic offshore wind supply chain capable of supporting the long-term growth of the sector.
Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm
Events | news | press releases
Press release 7 May, 2026
Read now
Press release 5 Mar, 2026
Press release 15 Dec, 2025
Press release 10 Dec, 2025
News 21 Oct, 2025
TWP FOUNDERS
Thistle Wind Partners (TWP) is the developer of the Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm. We are committed to delivering renewable energy that supports Scotland's energy transition while creating lasting economic value for communities, businesses and the Scottish supply chain.
Our shareholders bring together complementary expertise in offshore wind, marine engineering, infrastructure and renewable energy investment. Together, they have decades of experience developing, and delivering complex energy projects around the world, providing Bowdun with the capability, technical knowledge and long-term investment needed to deliver a project of national significance.
DEME, the majority shareholder in the Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm project has an extensive international track record in developing, financing and delivering offshore energy and infrastructure projects. The company brings world-leading expertise in offshore engineering, marine construction and the delivery of large-scale offshore wind farms. DEME has also demonstrated its commitment to developing the infrastructure needed to support the energy transition, including investment in renewable energy ports and logistics facilities such as the expansion of Port-La Nouvelle in France.
Aspiravi, a 30% shareholder in the Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm project, is a Belgian pioneer in the energy transition and a producer and supplier of green power. Its extensive offshore wind expertise is backed by more than 1 GW of installed capacity in the North Sea. Its strong local anchoring through 88 Belgian cities and municipalities as shareholders and more than 13,000 citizen-cooperators makes Aspiravi a unique player in the Belgian energy landscape.
As a ScotWind developer, TWP recognises that success is measured by more than the renewable electricity we generate. We are committed to helping maximise the opportunities that offshore wind presents for Scotland's economy by supporting Scottish businesses, creating opportunities for the local supply chain and investing in long-term capability across the sector.
This commitment is reflected in our award-winning Supply Chain Pathways Programme, which sets out how we intend to work collaboratively with industry, ports, education providers and communities to maximise Scottish content throughout the lifetime of the Bowdun project. We believe Scotland has the skills, innovation and industrial capability to play a leading role in the global offshore wind sector and we are committed to helping unlock that potential.
At every stage of Bowdun's development, TWP is working to build strong partnerships, engage openly with stakeholders and deliver a project that creates lasting value for Scotland supporting clean energy generation while contributing to economic growth, skilled employment and a resilient Scottish supply chain.
DEME ASPIRAVI
TIMELINES
Bowdun is continuing to make strong progress through the development process, with a series of important technical, planning and commercial milestones scheduled over the coming years.
During 2026, the project will complete its first geotechnical campaign, including borehole sampling, Cone Penetration Testing (CPT), and Nearshore and Landfall (NSLF) surveys. These investigations will provide critical information about the seabed and ground conditions helping to inform the project's engineering design. We also hope to secure planning consent from Aberdeenshire Council for the project's onshore transmission infrastructure and complete the concept phase of development, establishing the project's baseline technical solution including foundation selection, system design and a provisional wind farm layout.
In 2027, Bowdun will move into the next stage of development by commencing direct engagement with the supply chain and progressing Front End Engineering and Design (FEED). Subject to the statutory consenting process, the project also expects to receive offshore planning consent from the Marine Directorate's Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT), including Section 36 consent and the associated marine licences. A second geophysical survey campaign will also be undertaken to further refine the project's design.
Between 2028 and 2031, the project will transition towards the execution phase. This phase will include a final, layout-specific geotechnical campaign, completion of detailed engineering design across all work packages, and the exercise of the project's Option Agreements with Crown Estate Scotland. With the primary contracts in place, Bowdun will be positioned to move into the execution phase, marking a significant step towards the delivery of one of Scotland's next generation of ScotWind offshore wind farms.
See our resources
If you have any queries about our wind farm projects, TWP’s community engagement, careers with TWP, or anything else, please fill out our general enquiries form.