Highlights of the Month: November 2017

Four Scottish Offshore Wind Projects Cleared for Takeoff

The Supreme Court in London has rejected RSPB Scotland’s application for leave to appeal the decision by the Inner House of the Court of Session on its Firths of Forth and Tay offshore wind farm judicial review.

BiFab Safe Until April

Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL), SSE and the partners to the Beatrice offshore wind project, JCE Offshore, have provided a financial package that will make sure BiFab completes its Beatrice contract, while the Scottish Government continues working with the company and the involved trade unions to find a way to keep the manufacturing sites busy after the Beatrice work is done.

Adwen Employees Hit as Siemens Gamesa Plans Up to 6000 Lay-Offs

Siemens Gamesa’s ongoing integration of legacy structures will affect up to 6,000 employees and, being part of Siemens Gamesa, Adwen is no exception with some of its people soon to lose their jobs after negotiations with the works council began in May.

Ballast Nedam Re-Entering Offshore Wind Sector

A few years after the sale of its offshore wind activities, the Netherlands-based construction company Ballast Nedam is re-entering the wind energy market with Ballast Nedam Renewables.

Mussel Farming Begins at Belwind OWF

On 15 November, a bio mussel force line was installed at the Belwind offshore wind farm as part of a research project investigating mussel farming at offshore wind farms.

Ørsted: The Netherlands Might Become One of the Largest Offshore Wind Markets (Expertise Hub Video)

The Netherlands is serious about renewables and has ambitious plans for the development of offshore wind capacity which could lead to the country becoming one of the largest markets for offshore wind, Jasper Vis, Country Manager for Ørsted Netherlands (formerly DONG Energy Netherlands), said.

Portugal’s Energy Future Is in Floating Wind

Portugal’s renewable energy mix could be boosted by offshore – and especially floating – wind, as the country could meet 39% of its electricity demand with wind power by 2030, while 25% is currently covered with 5GW of wind turbines on land.

France to Put Offshore and Floating Wind On Fast Track in 2018

France will launch preliminary studies on the development of floating wind farms off Brittany and in the Mediterranean, as well as preliminary technical studies and a public debate on the proposed wind farm off Oléron in 2018, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said.

GeoSea to Install 90 MHI Vestas 9.5MW Turbines at Triton Knoll

GeoSea has been awarded a preferred supplier contract for the transportation and installation of 90 MHI Vestas 9.5MW wind turbines for the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm in the UK. The works are expected to start in the first quarter of 2021.

Siemens Gamesa: 8MW Offshore Wind Turbine to Be Market-Ready in 2020

Siemens Gamesa has launched a new offshore wind turbine – SG 8.0-167 DD – said to increase the annual energy production (AEP) compared to the 7MW model by 20%.