Italian engineering firm Saipem is “in discussion” with the developers of wind farms off Angus and Fife as it looks to secure more work in renewables.
Traditionally focused on oil and gas, Saipem is looking to branch further into the offshore wind sector, with developments in the Scottish North Sea of particular interest.
Last year, the Saipem 7000 crane ship installed the assembled turbines and towers for Statoil’s Hywind project on floating foundations at a yard in Norway, before their transportation to Scottish waters.
Saipem bosses said they were talking to the companies behind the Inch Cape and Neart Na Gaoithe (NnG) projects with a view to providing services.
Energy Voice spoke to Paolo Formica, Saipem’s offshore area manager for the North Sea, aboard the Saipem 7000 in Cartagena, Spain.
Mr Formica said: “There are a number of projects we’d like to be involved in in the UK continental shelf.
“We are already in discussion with the developers of some of these projects; this is part of our plan, particularly in the Scottish North Sea.”
A company spokesman said: “Currently, the main wind farms being developed in Scotland are (Mainstream Renewable Power’s) NnG project, so we’ve been heavily involved with that.
“Also we’ve just recently received the request for information (RFI) for (Red Rock Power’s) Inch Cape development.
“We’re in contact with all the main developers.”
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