Vattenfall, the Swedish energy company behind the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), has awarded the first local contracts for the project to three companies: Donside Safety, TVP Studios and Archer Marketing.
On 9 September, a supply chain event was held to enable potential bidders for work on the 92.4MW project, also known as the Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, to meet main contractors and to discuss available work packages and local opportunities.
Tier one contractors, J Murphy & Sons, MHI Vestas and Boskalis, gave presentations and met with potential sub-contractors whilst Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) and Scottish Enterprise showcased how they can support businesses through the procurement process.
The event has been hailed as a “huge boost to the North-East” as it gathered 250 delegates from around 200 companies at Aberdeen’s Chester Hotel.
Adam Ezzamel , project director for the EOWDC at Vattenfall, said: “It’s good to get the first local contracts agreed for the EOWDC. They may be modest but they help secure employment in the area; I look forward to welcoming more local companies to the project in the coming months.”
The first contract was awarded to Blackdog-based Donside Safety which will supply all personal protective equipment (PPE) to Vattenfall workers on the EOWDC. Archer Marketing, which is also based in Blackdog, will produce newsletters and printed materials for the EOWDC. Aberdeen-based TVP Studios has been selected to conduct photography, filming and animation work relating to the project.
Onshore construction near Blackdog will start in October and is due to complete early in 2018, with offshore works in Aberdeen Bay due to commence in late 2017.
The project is scheduled to generate first power in summer 2018.