Oil and gas industry subsea engineering and construction giant Subsea 7 has announced the launch of a renewable-energy division, based in Aberdeen.
The group – formed recently through the acquisition of the existing Subsea 7 business by Norwegian-owned energy service firm Acergy – said yesterday the unit would provide project management, engineering and construction services to support offshore developments in the global renewables industry.
A spokeswoman for the company said about 10 staff were already working on green energy projects at the new venture, with fresh appointments to the team expected in the future.
Subsea 7 chief executive Jean Cahuzac said its proven seabed-to-surface expertise, capabilities, strong safety and risk-management processes and systems were fully transferable to support this emerging market.
He added: “We look forward to working with the major clients in this sector to deliver the execution of offshore developments in a timely and safe manner.”
The new division is led by Bob Dunsmore, who was previously partnership director at Subsea 7.
Its launch coincides with a memorandum of understanding (MOU), forming a partnership between Subsea 7, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Siemens, Siemens Transmission and Distribution, Burntisland Fabrications and Atkins aimed at cutting costs for the delivery of power from offshore windfarms.
Mr Dunsmore said: “The signing of this MOU provides a great opportunity . . . to look at how we can develop offshore wind projects in the future in the most cost-effective and safe manner.
“To be part of this alliance with SSE, the largest generator of electricity from renewable sources in the UK and Ireland, and the other leading players in the industry is a significant step for Subsea 7. We look forward to this opportunity, which is very much aligned to our vision to be a leading strategic partner with our clients.”
Subsea 7 will be responsible for marine operations and offshore construction in the partnership.
The former Subsea 7 and Acergy joined forces earlier this month in a move creating a combined workforce of around 1,500 people employed out of offices at Westhill, near Aberdeen.
Acergy’s acquisition of the other business, announced last June, was an all-share deal worth about £1.75billion. The two companies forecast that the takeover would lead to annual cost savings of at least £67million, leading to fears that posts will go from the combined worldwide workforce of about 12,000.
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