Nov 08 | 2019
Mega-windfarm planned for Scotland
Energy provider SSE has launched plans to engage oil and gas contractors for an ambitious offshore wind power project, near the east coast of Scotland.
The Seagreen wind project will be one of the largest in the UK with 114 turbines and SSE expects it to be a driver for activity in Aberdeen’s oil and gas breakbulk sector.
“Aberdeen has the oil and gas firms and the infrastructure around it, and particularly in things like design, engineering and technical capabilities – the goods and services that we’ll need,” John Casserly, head of procurement at SSE Renewables said.
Breakbulk hub
Aberdeen in the northeast of Scotland has long been a hub of the North Sea oil industry but as many fields near end of life the associated breakbulk sector is increasingly looking for new opportunities.
“The support companies have realised that there is a long-term future in the renewable energy sector. Oil and gas will be around for a while, but now Aberdeen companies are looking to give themselves more lasting security by working across other industries,” Casserly commented.
Headquartered in Perth, Scotland, SSE is considered one of the ‘Big Six’ energy firms in the UK. Work will be completed by subsidiary SSE Renewables.
UK offshore setting new records
The offshore wind sector in the UK has set a number of records in recent years, with the world’s largest windfarm at Hornsea starting up earlier this year and the latest round of contracts awarded by the UK government resulting in a record low strike-price.
Hornsea has been a major testing ground for a new wave of breakbulk operations as larger components and larger wind farms become the norm.
SSE’s proposed Seagreen is over a third bigger than its previous 84-turbine Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm in the Moray Firth and the firm plans to award more than 300 contracts during the construction pahse of the massive wind farm.
“Offshore wind is a British success story, with new projects at record low prices creating new opportunities for jobs and economic growth as we leave the EU,” Energy and Clean Growth Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said.
The Seagreen wind project will be one of the largest in the UK with 114 turbines and SSE expects it to be a driver for activity in Aberdeen’s oil and gas breakbulk sector.
“Aberdeen has the oil and gas firms and the infrastructure around it, and particularly in things like design, engineering and technical capabilities – the goods and services that we’ll need,” John Casserly, head of procurement at SSE Renewables said.
Breakbulk hub
Aberdeen in the northeast of Scotland has long been a hub of the North Sea oil industry but as many fields near end of life the associated breakbulk sector is increasingly looking for new opportunities.
“The support companies have realised that there is a long-term future in the renewable energy sector. Oil and gas will be around for a while, but now Aberdeen companies are looking to give themselves more lasting security by working across other industries,” Casserly commented.
Headquartered in Perth, Scotland, SSE is considered one of the ‘Big Six’ energy firms in the UK. Work will be completed by subsidiary SSE Renewables.
UK offshore setting new records
The offshore wind sector in the UK has set a number of records in recent years, with the world’s largest windfarm at Hornsea starting up earlier this year and the latest round of contracts awarded by the UK government resulting in a record low strike-price.
Hornsea has been a major testing ground for a new wave of breakbulk operations as larger components and larger wind farms become the norm.
SSE’s proposed Seagreen is over a third bigger than its previous 84-turbine Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm in the Moray Firth and the firm plans to award more than 300 contracts during the construction pahse of the massive wind farm.
“Offshore wind is a British success story, with new projects at record low prices creating new opportunities for jobs and economic growth as we leave the EU,” Energy and Clean Growth Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said.
