A key component of what will be Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm has been installed off the Angus coast.
Dutch contractor Heerema’s Thialf vessel has successfully lifted and fitted the 4,800 tonne offshore platform topside for the Seagreen scheme.
It has been toasted a significant milestone for the project, a joint venture between SSE Renewables (49%) and TotalEnergies (51%).
At 40 metres long, 45 metres wide and 15 metres high, the topside is the backbones of Seagreen.
Its role is to collect and manage the 1,075 megawatts of green power that will be generated by the project’s 114 Vestas wind turbines before sending it ashore.
Once onshore, the electricity travels to the new Tealing substation near Dundee for onward distribution to homes and businesses across the UK.
The topside was lifted from a heavy transport vessel by Thialf and on to a previously installed 6-legged jacket foundation – it will be one of the largest AC platforms in UK waters.
Specialist cable installation and support vessels will continue to install the onsite inter-array network of cables to the turbines and to the offshore platform.
Another vessel is currently installing the export cable from the landfall point at Carnoustie.
Director of the Seagreen wind farm project John Hill said: “Once again, the many years of careful design and planning have come to fruition with the arrival and successful installation of one of the UK’s largest offshore AC platforms, serving what will become Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.
“At around 4,800 tonnes, the topside is a significant piece of equipment which has been carefully designed to withstand the rigours of a long operational life in the North Sea. The teams involved have done an excellent job.”
Located around 16 miles off the Angus coast, Seagreen will also hold the title of the world’s deepest offshore wind farm.
SSE Renewables is leading the development and construction of the project – it will operate Seagreen on completion for its expected 25-year lifetime.
Earmarked to enter operation early next year, Seagreen will be capable of generating around 5,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable energy annually.
That is enough clean and sustainable electricity to power more than 1.6 million UK homes.
Vipul Sawe, Petrofac’s senior project director, said: “The safe and successful installation of the substation topside is a significant milestone in the delivery of this important energy transition project for the UK. Everyone involved should be proud of this achievement and the great teamwork and collaboration shown between all partners and parties working together.”
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