Offshore wind turbine maker MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has moved into Able Seaton Port in preparation for the installation of 90 of its turbines at the Triton Knoll wind farm in early 2021.
Triton Knoll, the 857 MW offshore wind farm, is being built by RWE Renewables in partnership with J-Power and Kansai Electric Power. The wind farm will be powered by 90 MHI Vestas V164-9.5 MW turbines, which are due to be installed off the Lincolnshire coast.
Able Seaton Port will serve as the logistics and pre-assembly hub for turbine tower sections, blades and nacelles.
As part of the preparations, Able is set to complete further dredging activity to provide the depth of water required by the vessels which will transport the completed pieces to the wind farm site.
Peter Stephenson, Able UK’s executive chairman, said: “We have enjoyed a long and constructive relationship with Triton Knoll and MHI Vestas, culminating in their selection of ASP – it’s a massive vote of confidence in the UK, ourselves and the Teesside supply chain.”
“We have invested well over £100m at the site since it was acquired in 1996 and to date we are perhaps best known for our leading role in the marine decommissioning sector.
“We are increasingly involved in the renewable energies of the future. In many respects we have the bases covered being heavily involved at both ends of the offshore energy sectors. This is, of course, good news for our company, for our region and, of course, for our colleagues.
“The offshore wind sector is on the cusp of something very special. We have a clear and unambiguous policy from Whitehall through the Sector Deal in the Industrial Strategy, and the increasingly demanding targets for both power generation and the extent of UK content. Combine this with the sector’s extraordinary efforts in terms of developing new products and significantly reducing costs, and the sector is set to become a dominant factor in a post Covid-19 UK economy.”
Adrian Hill, head of property at Square One Law, said: “We are delighted to have supported Peter and the team on this exciting project which further helps to cement the North East’s position as a leader in the renewable energy sector.”
