Port of Nigg plays part in installation of massive Moray West offshore wind turbines
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AN Easter Ross port has played its part in the installation of giant offshore wind turbines with blades longer than Wembley Stadium.
Moray West, an offshore wind farm in the outer Moray Firth, has installed the first of 60 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD wind turbines.
Each turbine can generate up to 14.7 MW output.
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Siemens Gamesa is marshalling all turbine components at Port of Nigg from where the Cadeler heavy lift vessel Wind Orca is undertaking the installations. The wind turbine installation campaign is due to run for most of the rest of 2024.
The pre-assembly activity of the 60 turbines is being managed by Siemens Gamesa, Siemens Energy’s wind business, who are also manufacturing all the 180 B108 blades for the project at their quayside factory in Hull.
The facility has recently doubled in size to support the production of these B108 blades and employs over 1000 people. When installed they will be the longest in UK waters.
The 108m long blades are the largest being made in the UK, even longer than the Wembley Stadium football pitch, and are built to withstand exceedingly strong wind forces in a demanding offshore environment.
Project director for Moray West, Pete Geddes said: “This is a fantastic achievement, which is the result of the collective efforts of an incredible team of skilled professionals. The Moray West team can feel really proud of this huge milestone. Many congratulations to SGRE on this achievement as well, who have done an excellent job throughout the execution phase!
“Installing this new model of huge wind turbines, with the longest blades in the UK, demonstrates the commitment of Ocean Winds to innovation as well as the UK supply chain. All the blades being fabricated in Siemens Gamesa’s recently expanded facility in Hull and all the components being marshalled through Port of Nigg. We now look forward to successfully and safely completing the remaining turbine installations as we reach for full export capacity, helping to deliver net zero targets and lower costs to consumers.”
Darren Davidson, vice-president of Siemens Energy UK&I and Siemens Gamesa UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see the first Moray West turbine successfully installed out in the North Sea. I’m so proud of our team who have been working hard to deliver the 180 wind turbine blades for this project and supporting the safe transportation and installation of these turbines. Moray West will be an important step forward in achieving the UK’s offshore wind targets.”
Want to know more?
Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited, known as Moray West, is a fully consented offshore wind project off the coast of Scotland.
Total capacity: 882 MW, from 60 turbines of 14.7 MW/unit, in total generating enough power for the equivalent to 1.3 million homes in the UK.
Technology: offshore wind, bottom fixed, XXL monopiles.
It is under construction with first power due in mid 2024. Offshore installation underway with all of the foundation monopiles installed, plus both offshore substation platforms. Export cables are all laid. Civil engineering largely complete at onshore substation with electrical equipment installation and commissioning near completion.
The field size for Wembley stadium is 105m by 68m.
