Civil engineering contractor Careys is set to start work at the brownfield site of the former Cockenzie coal-fired power station as the next phase of the 1080MW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm substation construction gets underway in Scotland.
Contracted by Siemens Energy, Careys will be responsible for the construction of the site infrastructure and the onshore substation on the East Lothian coast.
This includes its associated buildings, in readiness for the arrival of the electrical equipment including transformers and cables to transport the green energy generated by the offshore wind farm.
Initial groundworks were completed at the site in December 2023, and this upcoming phase of work will see the creation of further drainage at the site, laying of concrete bases, construction of internal roads and bunds, landscaping, and the erection of steel-framed buildings.
Residents along the construction traffic route will receive direct communication from the project on the construction programme and timings of key pieces of work, particularly any activity likely to include an increase in construction traffic or delivery of large loads and equipment.
Regular aerial drone surveys will be undertaken by local company Innovair, to monitor progress of the construction activity.
Inch Cape will comprise up to 72 turbines located 15 km off the Angus Coast and the power it generates will enter the national transmission system at Cockenzie.
Once complete it will be one of Scotland’s largest offshore wind farms, generating enough green energy to power the equivalent of half the homes in Scotland.
ICOL, owner of Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, is an equal joint venture between Red Rock Power Limited and ESB.