62 monopiles from the international supply chain will be marshalled before load-out on installation vessels
Invergordon port in the Cromarty Firth, Scotland, has been selected by Moray West as the location for marshalling of all 62 monopiles prior to installation as part of the Moray West offshore wind farm. Ocean Winds, created as a 50-50 joint venture, owned by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, is developing the Moray West project.
Moray West has signed a multi-million pound contract with Port of Cromarty Firth (POCF) to use the recently expanded facilities at Invergordon for this scope. The monopiles will be some of the largest used in the sector to date with weights up to just under 2,000 tonnes. Offloading the monopiles from delivery vessels will be done using self-propelled modular transporters. The monopiles will start to arrive in Invergordon in Q2 2023 with installation complete approximately one year later.
The agreement to host Moray West will contribute to the pipeline of offshore wind projects using POCF facilities in the Cromarty Firth. With two new berths and a 372-metre quayside, POCF’s Quay West development has one of the largest port laydown facilities of its kind in the UK, at more than 90,000sqm. The £50 million facility was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne in the summer of 2021.
Net Zero & Energy Secretary Michael Matheson said:
“The Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, published earlier this month, sets out a clear vision for the acceleration of offshore wind as we ramp up our renewable energy generation capabilities and realise the economic benefits of the energy transition.
“This agreement between Ocean Winds and Port of Cromarty Firth is another example of the tangible benefits being delivered for the benefit of Scotland’s wider supply chain and local economies, and I look forward to the partnership bringing new opportunities for people and businesses in the local community and beyond as the Moray West project is developed.”
EPC Director for Ocean Winds in the UK with responsibility for Moray West, Pete Geddes said:
“We are delighted that Invergordon is lined up to host the Moray West monopiles, utilising the newly created capacity at the port and providing key confidence to underpin further investments to support the growing sector. The ambitious delivery programme will mean that in less than a year Invergordon will play a key role in the offshore construction phase of Moray West.
Having suitable facilities to secure the Moray West work has underlined the value of earlier investments in Invergordon, supported by Ocean Winds, and the ongoing need to invest in quayside infrastructure to support the growth of the sector. The recent successes 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 Scottish ports and wider supply chain.”
Bob Buskie, CEO of POCF said:
“This is a very significant contract both for us and the supply chain in the area and we are delighted Ocean Winds has chosen Port of Cromarty Firth as the marshalling base for this project.
It will be the first scope of work of this scale using the whole of the Port’s extensive new Quay West facility. Our key role in this project is further evidence of Port of Cromarty Firth’s capabilities in this sector and will showcase the potential of our facilities for future projects.
Ocean Winds, who we worked with on the Moray East Offshore Wind Farm development, is a valued customer and we look forward to continuing to support them on their second project in the Moray Firth.”
