Moray West wind farm installation gets under way

THE installation of the first major component of a new Moray Forth wind farm has got under way.

Moray West wind farm, for which Buckie will serve as an Operations and Maintenance base, is situated some 22 miles off the Moray Coast.

The first batch of three monopiles – a steel pile with a diameter of between 3.5 and 4.5 metres and typically driven some 10 to 20 metres into the seabed – are being taken from Invergordon by the heavy lift installation vessel, Bokalift 2 for installation at the Moray West. The first major component installation includes the monopiles for the two offshore substations, the first of which is loaded and ready to be barged from the Tyne to the Cromarty Firth.

Twenty-six monopiles have already been marshalled at Invergordon and installation will now continue as further loads of the items are delivered.

Moray West is part of the portfolio being developed by Ocean Winds, a 50/50 joint venture owned by EDPR and ENGIE, dedicated to offshore wind.

Pete Geddes, Moray West Project Director, said: “I am proud that the collective efforts of the Moray West team, working closely and safely with our suppliers are now installing major offshore components.

"This is a great milestone on our construction journey and highlights the key role of the ports in Cromarty Firth in enabling our project. The foundations team are busy coordinating inbound batches of monopiles and transition pieces as well as the start of installation, ensuring project programme remains on track for the installation of the offshore substations and completing the transmission infrastructure.”

Once online – estimated to be next year – Moray West will generate up to 882MW of power from 60 turbines of 14.7 MW/unit.

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