CHAP Group and Ocean Winds have inked a contract for a new operations and maintenance (O&M) facility in Buckie, Scotland which is expected to serve the Moray West offshore wind farm.
The 882 MW offshore wind farm will come online next year as a sister project to the operational Moray East offshore wind farm , almost doubling Ocean Winds offshore wind generation capacity in the Moray Firth to 1,800 MW.
This increase in capacity will require an increase in work to run it, and an increase in onshore facilities to support that work, CHAP said.
The Banffshire and Buchan Coast is Ocean Winds’ O&M hub for its Scottish turbines, and the company is expanding its onshore sites from which the work to generate power offshore is scheduled, planned, and undertaken.
Following on from Moray East’s O&M base which opened in Fraserburgh in 2021, the new Buckie facility will strategically extend the company’s footprint along the Banff & Buchan coast, according to CHAP.
CHAP added that this will more than double the offshore generation capacity the firm can operate and maintain while increasing operational diversity and integrating offshore wind as an entrenched and high-skill part of the North East coastal economy,
The new O&M base will feature cutting-edge technology, including a fully equipped workshop and warehouse, as well as office and training facilities.
Construction will commence soon, with completion scheduled for 2024.
“CHAP’s construction team have been appointed early in the design process so we can work alongside the Client and Design Team to provide an efficient and comprehensive build solution. This type of early engagement is becoming increasingly popular due to the increased cost of construction as it provides opportunities to improve budget, programme and buildability at an early stage”, said Andy McNair , Pre-Construction Director at CHAP Group.
Moray West Offshore Wind Farm, owned by Ocean Winds and minority shareholder Ignitis Group, reached a financial close a few days ago.
The Moray West project will be built some 22 kilometres off the Moray coast in the northeast of Scotland.
The offshore wind farm will comprise 60 SG 14-222 DD wind turbines which will be supplied by Siemens Gamesa and have a capacity of 14.7 MW each, utilising the company’s PowerBoost feature.