The first eight jacket foundations have arrived at the Port of Nigg in Scotland for the 950MW Moray East offshore wind farm.
Offshore Heavy Transport vessel OHT Osprey transported the foundations to the Global Energy Group port, which is the staging location for the project, ahead of installation by contractor DEME Offshore.
A total of 103 jackets will be installed at Moray East to support 100 MHI Vestas 9.5MW turbines and three offshore substations.
Global Energy Group has invested over £50m into the facilities at the Port of Nigg to maximise the opportunities within the renewables marketplace.
Global Energy Group chairman Roy MacGregor said: “It has always been our desire to make the best use of Nigg Energy Park and I am delighted that DEME Offshore recognised we have the facilities, experience and skills to support them with this extremely exciting project.
“The Port of Nigg is an ideal staging port for the Moray East Project due to its deep-water access and the high ground bearing strength of its quay and storage areas.
“Great skill is required to safely manoeuvre the massive structures off the heavy lift vessel and into the storage areas.
“Our strategy over the last few years has been in energy transition within a changing and highly competitive marketplace.
“We have the diverse mix of facilities, people and supply and support companies to meet the requirements of our clients within the Cromarty Firth and further afield.
“This project highlights our capabilities are transferable across the multi energy markets which will be critical during this challenging time for our business.”
Moray East Offshore Wind Farm project director Marcel Sunier said: “I am grateful for all of the work and cooperation which has been undertaken to enable the Moray East project to progress safely in this challenging environment of the global health situation.
“Energy is one of 13 ‘Critical Sectors’ to the UK economy and Moray East is an essential project, which will provide plentiful low-carbon electricity at a world-leading low price. Moray East is strategically important to the security of the UK’s energy supply.
“It will help ensure that the UK’s economic recovery is not impeded by lack of access to low-cost, low carbon energy.”
DEME Offshore general manager Bart De Poorter said: “The safe arrival of these first eight jackets is a significant milestone and just the beginning of what are exciting times in the progress and timeline for the Moray East offshore wind farm.
“We look forward to working with our local and global partners ensuring that this element of the supply chain meets all our aspirations for a safe, successful and timely delivery of the project.”
GPSS and Caledonian Towage and Global Energy are supporting the project for the port.
Moray East, which is being developed by EPDR, is expected to be operational in 2022.