SOWEC welcomes the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce 2050 vision
The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council welcomes the new report highlighting the potential for UK floating offshore wind to become a global success
SIM projects published highlighting offshore wind sector priorities for supply chain and infrastructure
The SIM Working Group has today published further information about the initial three projects moving into the SIM Stage 2 process. SIM projects have been assessed in terms of relevance to individual offshore wind project delivery, with multiple developers also expressing interest in taking part in collaborative meetings.
In Stage 2 the focus will be on how to ensure these projects have confidence to make a Final Investment Decision. Offshore wind developers, Enterprise Agencies, Scottish Government and other interested parties, will work collaboratively to help these projects secure the backing they need to move ahead. In testing its approach with the three initial projects, the SIM will be looking to better understand how different means of support can be brought together to help projects reach final investment decision.
Details of the initial two port projects being taken forward are below.
Port of Cromarty Firth Expansion (Port of Cromarty Firth)
The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) is planning to expand its port to support the deployment of floating offshore wind farms (FLOW), by developing an additional 5 Hectares of storage space to enable the construction of circa 1GW of floating offshore wind capacity per year. The facility will be capable of supporting the assembly of floating offshore wind foundations and the integration of floating offshore wind turbines
At its peak of operation, PoCF estimates this facility can support 1,148 direct and 1,060 indirect well-paid jobs per annum, along with investment in local training, and provide much needed capacity to the offshore wind industry to deploy its pipeline of projects. It provides an optimal solution to industry needs, reducing supply chain costs, and lowering the Contract for Difference (CfD) price wedge
This initial 5ha development is part of a wider plan to extend the existing 12ha of open storage capacity adjacent to a 372m quayside, currently being used to marshall the Moray West XL monopiles, by adding 20ha of lay down area and a 413m quay, in four phases. In this first phase, Phase 5A, PoCF will deliver 5ha of land (15t/m2), a 175m quay with a heavy load pad (25t/m2), as well as a deep pocket (16m) next to the quay, delivering 17ha in total with 547m quay ready for 2028. Port of Cromarty Firth is a part of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
Port of Nigg West Deepwater Quay Expansion Project (Global Energy Nigg Ltd)
The Port of Nigg West Deepwater Quay Expansion is set to address the increasing demand for larger deep-water facilities in the UK to support the offshore renewables industry. Led by Global Energy Group, the project will expand the existing West Quay at Nigg, creating a new ultra-deep water berth, featuring a 160m quay at a water depth of 22m Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). The expansion will create an expansive laydown and storage area totalling 46,860m2, with a ground loading capacity of 50mt/m2.
The Port of Nigg has played a crucial role in supporting five major offshore wind projects in Scotland, totalling 2.6GW. The proposed expansion will enhance Nigg’s capacity to accommodate the next generation offshore wind structures, both fixed and floating, and larger installation vessels.
Central to this development is the creation of an ultra-deep water sea-facing berth, positioning the Port of Nigg as one of the UK’s deepest ports. The expansion will result in a combined addition of 420m of quayside being available at Nigg, taking the facility’s total quayside to an impressive 1,555m. The project will cement the Port of Nigg as a leading location for existing fixed-bottom offshore wind projects and support the industrialisation of floating offshore wind.
The Scottish Government’s Energy Minister Gillian Martin said: “The Scottish Government is determined to maximise the economic opportunities and benefits from our offshore wind potential. We are kick-starting the First Minister’s flagship commitment of up to £500 million over five years to anchor Scotland’s offshore wind supply-chain with investment of £67 million next financial year.
“Moving these three projects – with a combined capital value of around £500 million - to the next stage of the Strategic Investment Model (SIM) is a significant step.
“Around the globe, offshore wind faces challenges in securing the scale of investment needed to unlock its full potential. SIM is a novel, industry-led approach, which supports close collaboration between industry and the public sector. It is a model being closely watched by other sectors and the investment community.”
Joanne Allday, Strategic Business Development Manager, Port of Cromarty Firth said “Industry and government reports in recent years have all concluded that Scotland needs more port infrastructure to deliver energy security and Net Zero through offshore wind. Its great news that Scotland’s offshore wind projects see the Cromarty Firth as a prime location for the build out of offshore wind. This announcement builds on the region’s location, capabilities and Green Freeport success and should increase local content and jobs. We look forward to the next stage of the process, to ensure we optimise this opportunity for Scotland.”
Iain Sinclair, Executive Director, Global Energy Group said “The vital enabling role that Scotland’s Ports and Harbours will play in supporting national net zero and energy security targets, specifically for offshore wind, is well documented. Being shortlisted to progress to the second stage of the SIM process is welcome confirmation of industry confidence in the Port of Nigg’s strategic role in the industrialisation of offshore wind. We look forward to working collaboratively with SOWEC’s investor stakeholders, and all of our Ports and Harbours partners, to deliver the critical enabling infrastructure required to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in the UK."
Gillian Morrison, Supply Chain Development Manager at Crown Estate Scotland, and Chair of the SIM Working Group said “Across the last year Crown Estate Scotland has worked alongside government, industry, and a wide range of private and public sector bodies in order to progress the Strategic Investment Model. Today’s details of some of the projects that the SIM is working to support helps make real the scale of the opportunity that we can grasp for Scotland, if we put in place the necessary infrastructure to help grow our supply chain and deliver Scotland’s offshore wind pipeline.”
SOWEC’s Industry Co-Chair Brian McFarlane of SSE Renewables said “The Strategic Investment Model is helping the offshore wind sector work together to prioritise its infrastructure and supply chain needs. ScotWind is a huge opportunity for Scotland, but to land this we need partnership between industry and government to ensure Scottish ports and supply chain are ready to capitalise on future manufacturing, installation and operation contracts.”
Elliot Wishlade, Director at Arup said: “work on the Strategic Investment Model is showing that industry and government is able to collaborate effectively to put shared infrastructure in place. Arup is proud to have been able to facilitate this work as the SIM Programme Manager. “
SIM Stage 1 projects
38 projects have completed Stage 1 of the SIM. Each of these projects has a completed prospectus, and will receive further information on offshore wind developer interest over February 2024. 32 of the 38 projects are listed below. Two of the three initial projects being moved into Stage 2 are highlighted in bold. A further six projects have completed Stage 1 but have asked for details not to be shared outside of SIM discussions.
Organisation |
Project |
Aquatera and Orcades Marine |
Scapa Flow Mega Hub |
BP / EnBW |
Enabling Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) Fabrication in Scotland |
BP / EnBW |
Enabling Service Operation Vessel (SOV) Fabrication in Scotland |
Dajin Heavy Industry Co. Ltd |
Tower and Foundation Manufacturing Facility |
eFab Ltd |
Kintore Pile Manufacturing Facility (PMF) |
Eyemouth Harbour Trust (EHT) |
South East Scotland Gateway – Eyemouth |
Forsyths Ltd |
Secondary Steel Fabrication Facility |
Forth Ports Ltd |
Deep Water FOW Facility |
Fraserburgh Harbour |
Fraserburgh New South Harbour (NSH) |
Global Energy Nigg Ltd |
Port of Nigg West Deepwater Quay Expansion Project (WDQEP) |
Global Energy Nigg Ltd |
Port of Nigg Tubular Manufacturing Facility (TMF) |
Harland & Wolff (Arnish) Ltd |
Stornoway Offshore Wind Hub |
Harland & Wolff (Methil) Limited |
Investment and expansion of access and fabrication facilities (Energy Park Fife) - Harland & Wolff Methil |
Heavy Lift Projects Ltd |
Mobile Heavy Lift Ring Crane |
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Argyll and Bute Council and Machrihanish Airbase Community Company |
Campbeltown/Kintyre Integrated Offshore Renewables Hub (IORH) |
Kishorn Port Limited |
Kishorn Port Upgrade |
Lerwick Port Authority |
Lerwick Ultra-Deep-Water Quay (UDWQ) |
Malin Group |
Scottish Marine Technology Park (SMTP) |
Mingyang Smart Energy Group Ltd |
Wind Turbine OEM Facility |
Montrose Port Authority |
Montrose O&M Energy Hub |
Offshore Solutions Group Ltd |
Temporary Storage – Floating Offshore Wind (TS-FLOW©) |
Orkney Islands Council |
Scapa Deep Water Quay (DWQ) |
Port of Aberdeen |
Port of Aberdeen South Harbour Upgrade |
Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) |
Port of Cromarty Firth Expansion |
PSG Marine & Logistics Ltd |
Semi-submersible Barge Development |
Repsol Resources UK Limited |
Flotta Ultra Deep Water Quay (UDWQ) |
Sarens PSG Ltd |
Ring Crane Development |
SENSEWind |
Self Erecting Nacelle & Service System |
Subsea Micropiles (UK) Ltd |
Micropile Fabrication & Production Facility |
Tymor Marine |
Wet Storage Mooring Grid |
W3G Marine Ltd |
W3G Floating Assembly Solution |
XLCC Ltd |
Hunterston HVDC Cable Factory |
History of the SIM
In May 2023, the Strategic Investment Model launched a call for proposals for port infrastructure and top tier supply chain projects to be built in Scotland. The SIM came out of sector work to develop a “Collaborative Framework”, and has involved Scottish offshore wind projects, including all ScotWind projects, plus the Scottish Government and its agencies.
By June 2023, 45 proposals were received in the first SIM application process which was launched at All Energy in May 2023. The SIM Working Group and programme manager Arup then worked with these 45 proponents to review eligibility. 38 projects successfully concluded Stage 1. Arup supported each of these infrastructure and supply chain projects to develop a prospectus setting out its offer to the offshore wind market.
Between December 2023 and mid January 2024, offshore wind developers within the SIM reviewed each prospectus. These offshore wind projects have returned expressions of interest to the SIM identifying which of the infrastructure and supply chain projects they wish to meet with collectively to discuss their supply chain needs.
Following an initial review of these expressions of interest, three initial projects identified in this release are being invited for exploratory meetings to look at how best they can be supported through the SIM in its Stage 2 process.
All projects completing Stage 1 will receive information showing what expressions of interest have been received from Scottish offshore wind developers, and the SIM will facilitate initial engagement between projects and offshore wind companies. In addition they now have completed prospectuses to support them in future market engagement.
Notes
To follow up on this notice please contact Maf Smith, Lumen Energy & Environment, maf.smith@lumenee.cc / 07768 531501
The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council welcomes the new report highlighting the potential for UK floating offshore wind to become a global success
SOWEC welcomes its central role as a vital platform for engagement between industry and public sector.
"My priority is to unify the current supply chain clusters into a single, focussed cluster to help the Scottish offshore wind supply chain."
SOWEC members will be able to draw on this informed approach to integrate a nature-inclusive design process into offshore wind planning and policy.
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