SSE has awarded UK-based Stowen a framework agreement to provide inspection services to the Beatrice and Greater Gabbard offshore wind farms in the UK.
Following a successful tender process, Stowen was awarded the frameworks requiring inspection services to cover offshore foundations for the 588 MW Beatrice offshore wind farm in Scotland alongside Greater Gabbard onshore inspection requirements.
In addition to the Beatrice offshore assets, Stowen will cover all onshore inspections to the operational locations inclusive of Wick and Buckle Harbour.
Stowen currently has several frameworks in place with SSE spread over the UK and the addition of Beatrice enters the offering into Scotland for the first time.
This is not the first time Stowen will be working on the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm. In February 2021, the company secured a framework agreement to complete grout connection works at the wind farm.
The 504 MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm is a joint venture between RWE (50 per cent) and SSE Renewables (50 per cent) and has been in operation since 2012.
The project comprises 140 Siemens Gamesa 3.6 MW turbines located 23 kilometers off the UK coast.
The Beatrice offshore wind farm features 84 Siemens Gamesa 7 MW turbines located approximately 13 kilometres from the Caithness coast.
The 588 MW project delivered first power in July 2018 and was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles of Wales on 29 July 2019.
As the majority shareholder, SSE Renewables led the construction process and is managing operations and maintenance (O&M) from its base in Wick.