Orsted has reached a final contract agreement with SeAH Wind and Haizea Bilbao to supply monopile foundations for its 2.8GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind project in the UK North Sea.
Haizea will start production of the 1200-2400 ton monopiles, which will be between 83-111 metres in length, in late 2024. SeAH Wind will begin the work in the second quarter of 2025.
An Orsted spokesperson declined to say how many monopiles each of the contractors would supply.
The contracts will see SeAH fabricate XXL monopiles for the project at a new factory being built at Teesworks on the South Bank of the River Tees in the north of England.
It is the first confirmed contract for the new factory, which will be carried out using a new deepwater heavy-duty quay currently under construction.
Its monopiles for the project are all expected to be fabricated by the second quarter of 2026.
The deal follows an initial cooperation agreement between Orsted and SeAH in September 2021 and is still subject to the Danish wind giant taking a final investment decision on Hornsea 3.
Haizea Group will meanwhile fabricate foundations for the wind farm at its Bilbao facilities in Spain under its first XXL monopile contract with Orsted. It signed an agreement with the developer to supply an undisclosed project in January this year.
Orsted senior project director Luke Bridgman said: “Hornsea 3 represents another leap forward in terms of the size and scale of offshore wind farms. As well as adding a significant source of low-cost clean energy, the project is also supporting the further development of the UK supply chain. Through our projects, we are also making ongoing efforts to work with new and expanding players coming into the market to support reducing the cost of energy.
“We have worked extensively with SeAH Wind to support their decision to establish a new, globally competitive monopile foundations facility in the UK and look forward to continuing to develop this relationship.”
SeAH Wind managing director Chris Sungwhal Sohn added: “We feel privileged to sign an agreement to supply to Hornsea 3 as SeAH Wind’s first contract. Starting from 2024 when our facilities become operational, we are going to repay Orsted and the UK Government for the confidence they showed toward SeAH with high quality products and project management.
“Based on continued cooperation with partners, we intend to contribute to the development of global offshore wind industry as well as reach for the goals of our UK business.”
Climate Minister Graham Stuart said: “Wind power has a key role to play in boosting our energy security which is why we’re acting now to increase our capacity and drive down bills in the long-run. But this can only happen with the support of international partners.
“Orsted and SeAH’s joint announcement today demonstrates their steadfast commitment to unleashing our world leading potential in the generation of offshore wind. The new contract being signed puts increased confidence in UK renewables, with investment and jobs right here in the UK, on the South Bank of the River Tees”.