Siemens Gamesa Selects Moray West Installation Base

Siemens Gamesa has conditionally selected Port of Nigg in the Cromarty Firth, Scotland, as the planned location for the pre-assembly and installation of wind turbines for the Moray West offshore wind farm.

Siemens Gamesa, as the preferred bidder for the supply of the offshore wind turbines, has signed a conditional agreement with Global Energy Group to use Nigg as the base for installation works.

Subject to the award of a Contract for Difference in 2022 and Ocean Winds, the project’s developer and majority owner, reaching Financial Close, the wind turbine components will be marshalled at Nigg prior to installation and commissioning through 2024.

If successful and converted to a firm order, the agreement to supply Moray West would contribute to the pipeline of offshore wind projects that have used Nigg including Moray East, a project in which Ocean Winds is also the majority stakeholder.

”We are delighted that The Port of Nigg is lined up to host the Moray West turbines, building on the positive track record of this important part of Scottish port infrastructure. Moray West expects to be successful in the next round of CfD and is aiming to move rapidly into full construction this year to deliver reliable energy independence at an affordable price,” Project Director for Moray West, Adam Morrison, said.

”The decision to utilise Nigg follows three successful and safe large installation campaigns, including our sister project Moray East. Having suitable facilities to secure the Moray West work has underlined the value of earlier investments in Nigg and the ongoing need to invest in quayside infrastructure to support the growth of the sector. The recent success in the ScotWind leasing round means that Ocean Winds will make significant early investments to drive the next steps necessary to build capability and capacity in the Scottish supply chain.”

Moray West has a rapid deployment plan, which will mean an almost continuous use of Nigg for pre-assembly and installation campaigns for offshore wind energy projects from 2017 to 2024.

Tim Cornelius, CEO of Global Energy Group, said: ”Our location coupled with existing laydown space and heavy load bearing capacity makes the Port of Nigg the ideal location to deliver large scale storage and marshalling for both fixed and floating offshore wind projects. We are committed to further capital investment in the development of the necessary infrastructure, facilities and land around the site to support the future increase in demand we expect to see from leading developers such as Ocean Winds.”

The 850 MW Moray West will comprise up to 85 wind turbines, two offshore substations, and a total of 65 kilometres of export cables that will transport the electricity from the offshore wind farm to a landfall location east of Sandend Bay on the Aberdeenshire Coast and further to the onshore substation. The wind farm is expected to produce first power in 2024.

Lithuania’s Ignitis Group holds a minority share in the project.

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