Global Energy Group’s Port of Nigg has been chosen by DEME Offshore as the staging port for jacket foundations for the 950MW Moray East offshore wind farm off the coast of Scotland.
The up to £12m contract, details of which were first reported in the 23 May edition of the subscriber-only newsletter reNEWS, will see the port provide services for the receipt of completed jacket structures, ahead of installation at the project site in the Moray Firth.
DEME Group is the EPCI contractor for the project’s 100 turbine foundations, as well as three substation platforms.
Global Energy said it has invested £90m at the port since taking it over in October 2011.
It said £50m has been spent on port infrastructure, including the new south quay, and £40m on heavy plant and equipment, such as cranes and low loaders, to handle the large offshore wind structures.
A further £10-£15m is to be spent to expand quayside availability and adjacent yard space.
Global Energy Group chairman Roy MacGregor said: “This award is a culmination of a lot of hard work from our people and I would like to thank them and DEME Offshore for their confidence and support in awarding us this contract.
“Global now have great experience in this work and this will further establish the Port of Nigg’s position as an important staging port supporting the offshore wind industry.
“We look forward to working with DEME Offshore in the delivery of this important work.”
Moray East is being developed by EDPR, Engie and Diamond Green and will feature 100 MHI Vestas 9.5MW turbines.
Moray East project director Marcel Sunier said: “The selection of Nigg as the staging port for the massive ‘jackets’ – the oil-rig-like foundations on which the turbines and offshore substations will be installed comes after extensive engagement with the local supply chain and capitalises on the strengths of a history of offshore engineering.
“Using Nigg for jackets complements our previous announcement of the Port of Cromarty Firth as an intermediate port for turbines.
“The installation of subsea substructures from Nigg combined with the installation of turbines from Invergordon shows how a complete onshore cluster to deliver the offshore works has been established in Easter Ross.”