Navitus Bay Selects Siemens, VBMS for Transmission

Siemens Energy Management and VBMS (UK) Ltd have been selected by the proposed Navitus Bay wind farm as the preferred electrical transmission system supplier.

The two companies will come together to form a joint venture to deliver the project and will aim to use UK supply chain partners to maximise the economic benefit to the region and UK.

Alongside designing the electrical system for the project, Siemens’ Energy Management division will also design, supply and install the proposed onshore and offshore high voltage substations for the project. To date, the company has spent £300 million with UK supply chain companies to deliver UK offshore wind farm connection projects and this announcement demonstrates Siemens’ continued investment in the UK offshore wind industry.

VBMS (UK) Ltd. will be responsible for design, supply and installation of the export cable, both offshore and onshore.

Siemens will also call upon its extensive knowledge of the UK based offshore wind supply chain to maximise UK content, including both for steel fabrication and civil construction during the construction phase. This will complement Navitus Bay’s work with suppliers across the South Coast to maximise the opportunities for supply chain involvement in the project.

Stuart Grant, Project Director of Navitus Bay, said: “Having two companies with such extensive knowledge of the UK offshore wind industry, and the ability to call upon UK supply chain partners across the country, will help to provide valuable expertise to the project going forward. We will now continue to work with local suppliers across the region to continue to maximise local supply chain opportunities.”

Paul Maher, Managing Director of Siemens Energy Management, said: “Siemens Energy Management has previously successfully delivered eight offshore substation platforms into the UK market through its Manchester based team and has a strong track record of utilising UK based suppliers including fabrication yards. We are delighted to be selected as preferred bidder for the Navitus Bay project alongside VBMS (UK) Ltd and to be able to use this UK based experience to develop the transmission system for Navitus Bay.”