UK tech startup Kinewell Energy has received a contract from SSE Renewables to help develop its Berwick Bank wind farm development.
The 4.1GW wind farm, situated in the Outer Firth of Forth, will use the Kinewell Layout Optimisation of Cable (KLOC) software solution.
The software helps developers drive down costs, reduce the amount of cable required, reduce emissions and significantly slash the duration of engineering design work.
Kinewell CEO and Found Dr Andrew Jenkins said: “We have significantly sped up and improved the process of designing cable layouts for offshore windfarms and we have been blown away by the successes we’ve recorded so far.
“Over the past five years, we have worked with some of the world’s biggest energy producers and it’s not unusual for our team to add value to offshore wind projects of around US$50m, so we’re delighted to be working with SSE Renewables on a project which is so close to home.
“As a 4.1GW project, Berwick Bank will not only be one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, but it will also play a key role in helping the UK achieve its Net Zero ambitions, and we’re all incredibly proud to be playing a part in its development.”
Ross Cottam, ESI Package Manager at SSE Renewables, said: “The development of Berwick Bank Wind Farm is rapidly progressing and as we prepare to submit our planning application, the focus now moves towards the design and delivery of the windfarm.
“Kinewell’s software will allow us to look at ways of optimising the layout of our inter-array cables and Offshore Substation (OSPs) locations at an earlier stage of the design, giving us the opportunity to find potential cost savings in multiple areas of the project reducing our Levelised Cost of Electricity.
“It also ties into our commitment of ensuring that local people benefit from Berwick Bank as much as possible, be it creating jobs or creating opportunities for local organisations – such as Kinewell – to get on board as suppliers, so we’re delighted to be working with them on the project.”