Lamprell wins EA1 jacket job

ScottishPower Renewables has awarded international fabrication outfit Lamprell a contract to supply turbine jacket foundations for its 714MW East Anglia 1 offshore wind farm in the UK.

The London-listed fabricator will be responsible for delivery of 60 of the structures and under the deal will outsource 24 jackets to Belfast yard Harland and Wolff. SPR said up to 200 jobs will be supported in Northern Ireland during the work.

Lamprell’s Jebel Ali and Sharjah yards in the UAE will lead on the contract with the project due to commence in March 2017 and last for around 18 months. The contract is worth around £181m ($225m). 

The remaining 42 EA1 jackets will be fabricated by Spanish outfit Navantia at its Fene yard.

SPR chief executive Keith Anderson said: “”The facilities in Belfast are excellent for supporting offshore wind construction, as we experienced on our West of Duddon Sands project. We hope that the successful delivery of this contract will lead to even more opportunities in the offshore wind industry for Belfast.”

He added 50% of the “overall lifetime investment” for the project will go to UK suppliers.

Lamprell chief executive Christopher McDonald said the deal is a “big step” for the company.

“This project gives us an opportunity to demonstrate how our fabrication skills are once again transferrable to other areas of the energy industry and beyond our traditional sweet spot in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

Harland and Wolff chief executive Robert Cooper said: “Harland and Wolff has always been renowned for its unsurpassed quality and our collaboration with Lamprell enhances our offer in terms of capacity and cost effectiveness.” 

H&W business development director Jonathan Guest said: “It is significant when a developer stands over its commitment to give opportunities to local fabricators.”

He added: “When you consider the importance of this project to the UK with regard to energy security, that is not only green but at a low cost, you can understand the pride Harland and Wolff have in being part of this important development and of the contribution it will bring into the Northern Ireland economy.”

RenewableUK also welcomed the contract, saying it is confident UK companies will be able to win similar jobs at home and abroad.

Image: the Navantia yard in Fene which will also tackle part of the EA1 job (SPR)