UK: ABB Selected as Preferred Supplier for Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm

Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited (DOW), a subsidiary of Warwick Energy Limited, has selected ABB Limited (ABB) as the preferred supplier for the delivery of the electrical works for the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm (Dudgeon) project following a competitive tendering exercise.

The formal contract for these services in not expected to be signed until 2013, dependent on the finalisation of both consenting and funding aspects for the project, however this decision does allow DOW and ABB to work together on important detailed design work that will help move the project forward.

The electrical package of works for Dudgeon covers the offshore and onshore substations, the cabling systems, the electrical control systems and the overall electrical design. The final scope and value of any contract between ABB and DOW is still under discussion.

The initial priority is to add further definition to the onshore substation and onshore cable route design work already undertaken and to review options and timings for the marine export cable. Some additional surveys have already been commissioned to help with some of this work.

ABB is one of the World’s largest and most successful electrical equipment suppliers and installers and has been active in the offshore wind sector for many years. The work for the Dudgeon project will be led by ABB’s UK team based in Stone, Staffordshire.

ABB already employ around 2600 people in the UK. Involvement in delivering the electrical system for Dudgeon will support ABB’s ongoing multi-million pound investment programme in the Stone operation. This includes the creation of new skilled engineering and construction positions, expanded apprentice programmes plus new and updated facilities. ABB will use local contractors and sub-suppliers wherever possible and practical.

‘We are very pleased to welcome ABB to the Dudgeon project’ commented Mark Petterson, Project Director ‘their capabilities and experience will be important in helping us complete the design work and ensure a safe and efficient delivery of this major green infrastructure project’

The Dudgeon site, where the wind turbines will be installed, is located 32km offshore due north from Cromer. Consent for the offshore elements of the project is anticipated shortly with power generation currently scheduled to commence by late 2015.

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Offshore WIND staff, May 11, 2012; Image: abb