UK companies to feature in Moray East foundation line-up

DEME Offshore has unveiled which companies it plans to use as tier one suppliers for the Moray East offshore windfarm foundations, which includes UK-based companies.

UK content in offshore windfarms has long been an issue, most recently when a report from the UK’s former defence secretary and energy minister, Sir Michael Fallon MP, called for a local content commissioner to monitor the UK content of future offshore windfarms, although it may be difficult to deliver much higher levels of UK content, as OWJ's review of the UK’s Sector Deal for offshore wind highlighted.

Offshore installation work will be undertaken from northern Scottish ports, including the Port of Invergordon which has been lined up by DEME Offshore to act as a staging facility under a multimillion-pound contract.

A major portion of the fabrication work (including all final assembly) of 55 of the jackets will be executed by Smulders in Wallsend, Newcastle, supported by fabrication activity in Europe.

The balance of the jackets will be supplied by Dubai-based Rig Metals LLC, part of the Lamprell Group, and then shipped and offloaded to northern Scottish ports.

A contract was also awarded to PSG Marine & Logistics Ltd which will manage the onshore handling work at the marshalling harbour in Invergordon.

DEME Offshore awarded a contract to fabricate 150 pin piles to Scottish company BiFab, now owned by Canadian DF Barnes. The remaining piles were awarded to the German fabricator EEW.

UK-based davit crane supplier Granada has been lined up to supply more than 100 offshore cranes for the project.

In the coming months, DEME Offshore, together with its partner Smulders, will organise tier two local supply chain workshops to identify and contract other work packages with local suppliers.  

DEME business unit manager offshore renewables Jan Klaassen said, “This project will help us expand our footprint in the UK, particularly in Scotland. We are very thankful for the support provided by the UK and Scottish Government departments while conducting this procurement process.”

The 950-MW windfarm is being developed by Moray Offshore Windfarm East Ltd which is a joint venture company owned by Diamond Green Limited (33.4%), EDPR (33.3 %), Engie (23.3%) and CTG (10%).The project was initiated following the award of a £57.50/MWh (US$75.74/MWh) contract for difference in 2017.