EOWDC Enters Onshore Construction Stage

The 92.4MW European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), also known as Aberdeen offshore wind farm, started onshore substation works at Blackdog, Aberdeenshire, on Monday, 17 October.

The programme for constructing the substation and associated cabling works has begun with work to prepare and secure the site including establishing temporary staff facilities and an access route on site for the onshore project team before work on the substation begins later this autumn.

Engineering and infrastructure specialists, J. Murphy & Sons, have been appointed by Vattenfall-owned subsidiary, Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, to deliver the onshore substation at Blackdog and the associated cabling.

“The start of onshore works is a step forward in the EOWDC’s development and we aim to complete this part of the project with minimum disruption to the local community by being a considerate neighbour,” Adam Ezzamel, the EOWDC project director at project developer Vattenfall, said.

“As part of this, we have held community drop-in sessions where members of the project team and our contractors have been available to address any questions or concerns. We will continue to keep the local community informed of the progress of the project which will help cement Aberdeen’s position as a global energy city and deliver long-term economic benefits to the region.”

Aberdeenshire company, Donside Safety, is supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers on the EOWDC.

Located off Aberdeen Bay, the more than GBP 300 million EOWDC is Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility. The 11-turbine offshore wind scheme will deploy next generation technology and as such, the North-east will be home to a hub of clean energy innovation that will help drive down the cost of offshore wind power.

Underlining the vision for the EOWDC is the installation of the world’s most powerful turbines, the MHI Vestas V164-8.0 MW. In what will be an industry first, the turbines will be paired with suction bucket foundations.

The EOWDC, which has been awarded up to EUR 40million of funding from the European Union and is supported by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), will generate first power in 2018 and be operational for 20 years.