Fugro makes Aberdeen debut

Offshore work on the 100MW Aberdeen Bay wind farm off the Scottish coast has cranked into gear.

Fugro’s Bucentaur vessel has been tasked to site between 2km and 5km off the Aberdeen coast.

Co-developers Vattenfall and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group said today that geotechnical site investigations are taking place at each of the 11 turbine locations.

The data gathered will be used to microsite the turbine foundations ahead of full construction in late 2017 pending a final investment decision later this year.

Commercial operations at the project, also known as the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), are expected to begin in 2018.

Project director Andy Paine said: “The pioneering EOWDC will help establish the north east as a global centre of innovation for the offshore wind industry. It is through test and demonstration of next generation products and services that offshore wind will become a low cost sector.

“The preparatory works being carried out helps keep the project on schedule ahead of an investment decision later this year and first power in 2018. The partners are currently working on the basis of fully financing the more than £230m scheme and want to see the project come to fruition.”

Aberdeen City Council Leader Jenny Laing said “The EOWDC is a vital project for the North-east of Scotland and has reached an important point in its development. It will help to deliver significant and long-term economic benefits to the region and the opportunities for local energy companies will be substantial. 

“The EOWDC will help to cement Aberdeen’s reputation as a global energy city and a world-leading centre for innovation. This is why the EOWDC has been a long-standing priority for AREG and this council.”

Image: a mock-up of the Aberdeen Bay site (EOWDC)