HiDef to Survey Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm

HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited (HiDef) has secured a contract with SSE to provide services to the Beatrice offshore wind farm.

Speaking on the award, HiDef’s Commercial Director, Kit Hawkins said: “Beatrice is a hugely important project for the UK’s offshore wind industry, being one of the first to be granted a Contract for Difference by the Government and as such it will be a standard bearer for the new support regime. We are proud to be supporting such a key project at a transitional time for the UK renewables sector.

“Winning this contract highlights our growing reputation in Scotland and builds on our successful partnerships with Marine Scotland and the Scottish renewable energy sector. We are now actively working at four Scottish offshore wind projects, which is a great indication of the way in which our bespoke survey technique is regarded by industry and regulators alike.”

In response, Lis Royle, the BOWL Offshore Consents Manager stated: “HiDef’s adaptability and ‘can do’ attitude were key reasons that we selected them to undertake this survey work for BOWL and we are looking forward to the delivery of scientifically robust and accurate data later this year.”

The Beatrice project is being developed in the Outer Moray Firth, 13.5km from the Caithness coastline, by Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL), a partnership formed between SSE Renewables (50%), Repsol Nuevas Energias UK (25%) and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (25%).

Subject to a positive Final Investment Decision, the up to 664 megawatt (MW) Beatrice project, which was consented by Marine Scotland in March 2014, and granted an Investment Contract by the UK Government in May 2014, is expected to commence construction in 2016.