Edinburgh. 16 June 2022
Ocean Winds backs Opportunity Cromarty Firth Green Freeport bid
One of Scotland’s leading offshore wind companies, Ocean Winds, is joining Opportunity Cromarty Firth and supporting their Green Freeport bid
As a major infrastructure player in Scotland, Ocean Winds (OW), an international company dedicated to offshore wind energy and created as a 50-50 joint venture in 2020 by EDP Renewables and ENGIE is currently operating, building and developing, three offshore wind projects in Moray Firth (Moray East -950 MW, Moray West – 882 MW and Caledonia – >1 GW).
Having previously worked with Global Energy Group and Port of Cromarty Firth around the delivery of Moray East offshore wind farm, Ocean Winds has decided to support the Opportunity Cromarty Firth’s Green Freeport bid. OW requires high quality regional port infrastructure and local supply chains to support the operation and delivery of our Scottish Projects. Such quality port infrastructure is at the core of the Opportunity Cromarty Firth consortium.
Following from the successful delivery of Moray East, Moray West has confirmed that the Siemens Gamesa wind turbines will be pre-assembled and marshalled at Port of Nigg in the Cromarty Firth. A successful outcome for the Opportunity Cromarty Firth bid will be a further springboard for future investment, maximising local benefits from the pipeline of renewable energy projects.
Delivery of the Ocean Winds projects in the Moray Firth is enabled from ports with sufficient quayside depth for large vessels and quayside space for storage of the massive components required to construct the offshore wind farms. All weather vessel access to the ports and proximity to the wind farm sites are also key. The Cromarty Firth offers these features as well as good road and air links allow ready access for equipment and personnel.
Dan Finch, Country Manager for UK for OW, commented:
“I am delighted that we are strengthening our ties with the Cromarty Firth, which handled the large components of Moray East and are confirmed as marshalling the Moray West wind turbines.
The newly revealed scale of the project pipeline in the UK will require additional port capacity and the Green Freeport model has the potential to attract new and increased manufacturing and fabrication capability to the Firth. Opportunity Cromarty Firth leading a Green Freeport bid is well placed to build on the earlier track record with the offshore energy and wind sectors. A Green Freeport centred on the Cromarty Firth can ensure the success of the region around the many opportunities that will emerge from the confirmed pipeline of major east coast offshore wind projects.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Ocean Winds’ projects in the UK:
Moray East – Project Status & History
Development of the Moray Firth Zone (‘Zone 1’) commenced in 2010 when development rights were secured in the UK’s 3rd auction round of offshore wind licensing. The zone was split into two, to enable Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Ltd (known as ‘Moray East’) to progress ahead of Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Ltd (known as ‘Moray West’), as there were constraints in the west of the zone. Moray East is now operational with 100 x 9.5MW MHI Vestas wind turbines. The operational base is at Fraserburgh harbour. Ocean Winds is the majority shareholder of Moray East, Scotland’s largest operational offshore wind farm and second largest wind farm in operation in the world.
Moray West – Project Status & History
The development of Moray West commenced in 2016, when constraints eased in that part of Zone 1. Planning consents and grid connection agreement were secured in 2019 for up to 84 turbines with overall export capacity of 860MW. Moray West is working towards first power in 2024, subject to being awarded a Government contract to supply power, thereby providing continuity of supply chain opportunities. The project operational harbour will be Buckie.
Caledonia
There is a dedicated team in Edinburgh working to realise the recently awarded ScotWind site that has been named the Caledonia offshore wind farm. The nature of Caledonia as an extension to the other Moray Firth projects offers opportunities for rapid deployment, to deliver both economic recovery and low-cost, low-carbon power that is vital for the future UK economy.
Media Contact
OW
- Kelly Penot: kelly.penot@oceanwinds.com