Key Suppliers For European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre Announced
Swedish power company Vattenfall has announced the key suppliers for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, also known as the Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm.
The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) is also the Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, a project which will be made up of 11 wind turbines and have a maximum generating capability of 100 MW. The project was under a higher measure of scrutiny for a while, as its site is only 3.5 kilometers from the Trump International Golf Club. Donald Trump had protested the development of an offshore wind farm which would theoretically be within viewing distance of the golf course, but the UK’s Supreme Court dismissed the case late in 2015.
Preparatory work on the offshore wind site was initiated earlier this year, with full offshore construction estimated to begin sometime in late 2017 or early 2018.
The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is being developed to establish “the north-east [of Scotland] as a world-class hub of offshore wind know-how, technology and innovation, particularly during these challenging times for the North Sea oil and gas industry.”
“The pioneering EOWDC will help establish the north east as a global centre of innovation for the offshore wind industry,”said Andy Paine, head of UK offshore wind development for Vattenfall, in May. “It is through test and demonstration of next generation products and services that offshore wind will become a low cost sector.”
Announced on their website last week, Vattenfall has since made known the three tier one preferred suppliers for the EOWDC project — MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, J. Murphy & Sons Limited (Murphy), and Boskalis.
“We are pleased to name the preferred tier one suppliers, all of which are leaders in their field,” said Adam Ezzamel, project director for the EOWDC at Vattenfall. “Their support delivers the project partners’ commitment to accelerating the development of wind energy and cost reduction through innovation and collaboration.
“Part of this vision for the EOWDC includes installing game-changing suction bucket jacket foundations. The first stage of the procurement process opens up the wider business opportunities that the EOWDC offers with the project partners aiming to maximise project supply chain content in the Aberdeen area, Scotland and the wider UK.”
MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has been contracted to supply V164-8.0 MW turbines, Boskalis is the preferred offshore balance-of-plant contractor for the construction and installation of the offshore infrastructure including foundations and cabling, and Murphy has been named as the preferred bidder to provide the onshore substation and associated cabling work.
“The EOWDC is a crucial project for the region and for Scotland,” explained Chair of AREG and Aberdeen City Councillor, Jean Morrison.
“Aberdeen is a world-class hub of innovation and this will place our region at the heart of the development of new technologies and contribute to improving the competitiveness of the offshore wind sector. It will add to our existing energy capability including the skills and infrastructure required to build a 21st Century energy industry.
“There will also be spin-out opportunities for the supply chain as well as jobs and economic benefit. Last month, the project partners attracted more than 100 members of the business community from across the North East and Scotland at a networking event in Aberdeen – a very strong indication that businesses recognise the opportunities that the project will bring to the region.”
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