Piling works completed on Moray East Offshore Windfarm
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OFFSHORE piling works have been completed for the Moray East windfarm.
Work to install the pin piles in the sea-bed commenced in May last year, using the jack-up installation vessel Apollo which worked out of Cromarty Firth Ports Authority’s onshore handling facilities at Invergordon.
The offshore windfarm in the Moray Firth will consist of 100 turbines and three offshore substation platforms.
It is being installed in deeper water than most existing UK windfarms, necessitating the use of three-legged jacket structures for each turbine and substation platform.
Project director Marcel Sunier said: “The important first phase of offshore installation works have been completed safely and successfully without any major incidents.
"I would like to thank all those involved including our contractors, our suppliers, our local port facilities at Invergordon and the authorities.
“Although the piles are undersea, underground and unseen, they are the foundations on which the entire project’s success literally rests.
"The challenge of accurately driving 309 piles into the sea-bed, in water depths of 50m, more than 20km from shore in Scottish weather conditions cannot be understated.
“The dynamics which make the Moray Firth a more challenging location for installation are the same dynamics which enable us to deliver a high volume of electricity at a record-low price.
"The experience and expertise developed working in this challenging environment are vital resources for the UK’s journey to net zero.
“I look forward to the next stages of the project which will see the jackets and various turbine components begin to be marshalled at the local ports at Nigg and Invergordon prior to their installation as well as the installation of the three offshore substations, the inter array cables and the offshore export cable."
The 950 megawatt windfarm will provide power for the average requirements of 950,000 homes.
Moray Offshore Windfarm East Ltd (MOWEL) is a joint venture company owned by Diamond Green Limited (33.4%), EDPR (33.3 %), ENGIE (23.3%) and CTG (10%).
The windfarm is expected to be operational by 2022.
