Simply Blue Energy and Subsea 7 have signed a MoU with Global Energy Group (GEG) to collaborate on the design, development and execution planning of the 200MW Salamander floating wind project off north-east Scotland.
The developers and the Port of Nigg operator said they will work side-by-side to ensure that the project is developed in a way to maximise the floating platform content that can be placed within the Scottish supply chain.
“This fits perfectly with the project’s ambition to provide a ‘stepping stone’ effect to support local supply chain for future commercial projects as well as the Scottish Government’s ambitions for floating wind and the Scottish supply chain explained in the Offshore Wind Policy Statement,” the partners stated.
Collaboration between Salamander and GEG at this stage includes providing direct input to the design process for the supply chain experts to enable optimisation of the structural design for assembly within the Scottish supply chain.
It also ensures that Scottish supply chain can be ready for future commercial floating offshore wind projects by building knowledge and project experience.
In addition, the tie-up provides the greatest possible visibility to the supply chain of the project requirement so that they can have the confidence to build capability.
It is also hoped that joining forces provides visibility over project pipeline, while reducing cost and provide better value to the energy consumers.
The pre-selection of Ocergy as the project’s foundation concept was underpinned by its ability to maximise Scottish local content, added the developers.
The collaboration agreement signed with GEG is the culmination of a broad engagement with the Scottish supply chain undertaken by the Salamander project in the last six months, including a seminar with the DeepWind cluster members.
Salamander project director Adrian de Andres said: “This partnership between the Salamander project and GEG materialises the project’s commitment to the Scottish supply chain.
“We are focused on adapting our project so that we can maximise the potential for local jobs in assembly and manufacturing.
“The signing of this collaboration agreement will enable the Salamander team to have access to the expertise of one of the standout fabrication and marshalling facilities within Scotland.
“Furthermore, we are committed to pioneer a new way of working with the supply chain, developing a collaboration and partnership relationship since the very early stages of project development.”
GEG’s executive director and head of renewables & energy transition Iain Sinclair added: “There is great alignment between the vision behind the Salamander project and GEG’s strategic ambition.
“Our current and future planned capabilities are well suited to this exciting project and going forward, floating wind will play a central role in Global Energy Group’s business growth plans.
“We believe this partnership with the Salamander project will enhance GEG’s position as a world leader for floating wind fabrication and assembly ‘Stepping-stone’ projects like Salamander are important for the Scottish energy transition supply chain.
“They ensure that local content can be realised in floating wind commercial projects and collaborations like this are a further positive step towards achieving the UK Government’s 60% local content ambition from the Offshore Wind Sector Deal.”