ESB and Red Rock Renewables have signed a deal with Vestas to install 15MW turbines at the 1080MW Inch Cape offshore wind farm off east Scotland.
The contract, which firms up an earlier preferred supplier agreement, is for the supply, installation and commissioning of a total of 72 units together with a long-term service and warranty agreement.
In also includes “a tailor-made operational support agreement”.
Each of the V236 turbines (pictured) will have 115 metre blades and a rotor diameter of 236 metres.
The 1080MW Inch Cape project is located in the North Sea, 15 kilometres from the Angus coast, and will connect into the UK national grid at the site of the former coal-fired power station at Cockenzie, East Lothian.
Inch Cape is already well underway with the construction of the onshore substation and the offshore platform at the Smulders yard in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, the developers said.
“The project is far advanced with the project team working to reach financial close later this year, at which point Inch Cape will move into full construction.”
Project director, John Hill said: “We are delighted to be working with Vestas on deployment of these latest fully certified state-of-the-art turbines. When operational, these turbines will deliver more than 5TWh of renewable electricity each year, making a vital contribution to the UK’s energy security and emissions reduction targets.”
President of Vestas northern & central europe, Nils de Baar said: “We are very pleased to have signed this conditional agreement for a pivotal project for Scotland’s offshore wind industry, and our team is genuinely excited to contribute to this milestone together with ESB and Red Rock Renewables.
“Inch Cape will have a significant impact on the UK’s sustainable energy future and we are proud to stand at the forefront of this transition. Our thanks go to our partners at ESB and Red Rock Renewables for their trust and excellent collaboration.”
Turbine installation is programmed to start in 2026 using one of Cadeler’s newbuild M-class wind turbine installation vessels.