Swedish energy group Vattenfall, which is developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), has contracted Rigmar to inspect and maintain subsea structures and cables as well as foundations, turbine transition pieces, subsea cabling and boat landings. It is Rigmar’s first win as a main contractor in offshore wind, having built up experience as a sub-contractor.
The contract award for Rigmar comes as the offshore wind industry confirmed late last month a £100 million growth fund for the UK supply chain, part of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal partnership programme agreed with the UK government.
“As the offshore wind industry continues its rapid expansion, the Sector Deal should give confidence to oil and gas companies to take a serious look at this sector, and we’re pleased that Rigmar has made that move” said Danielle Lane, Vattenfall’s UK Country Manager.
Rigmar’s CEO Keith Nelson added that having completed a number of offshore wind projects as a sub-contractor, the firm is delighted with its first win as a main contractor, and also appreciates the support it has received from various Scottish government agencies as it moves further into the offshore wind sector.
The EOWDC has been generating electricity since summer 2018 and is expected to continue operating for another 24 years. According to Kevin Jones, Vattenfall’s Head of the EOWDC, Vattenfall is spending two to three million pounds every year in the local economy meaning that local businesses will continue to benefit from the wind farm. With a local team, the company is well placed to build on relationships with the north east’s supply chain.
Rigmar is a highly-qualified company headquartered in Aberdeen. It has been supported by the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables supply chain programme funded by the Scottish Government and run by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
The EOWDC’s 11 turbines, currently the world’s most powerful, have a total generating capacity of over 93.2 MW, which can supply the equivalent of 70 percent of Aberdeen’s household electricity demand. The project will annually prevent more than 130,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
The more than £300 millionEOWDC is a test bed for innovation in the offshore wind sector. The new components and techniques deployed at the Centre will support the development of a low-cost industry that will form the backbone of the transition to a net zero carbon economy.
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