In a remarkable achievement for the UK's offshore wind sector, Siemens Energy and Smulders have celebrated the successful delivery of the first two Offshore Transformer Modules (OTMs) for the Moray West offshore wind farm. The OTMs, a vital component of the wind farm's infrastructure, were fabricated at Smulders' yard on the Tyne at Wallsend. These deliveries signify a significant step forward in the clean energy production landscape of the UK.
Under a contract secured by the consortium of Siemens Energy and Iemants, a subsidiary of Smulders, these OTMs were produced with meticulous precision. The project involved Siemens Energy managing the fit-out of their equipment onto the OTMs from their Manchester base. These transformer modules are crucial for the Moray West offshore wind farm's power distribution system, ensuring the seamless transmission of renewable energy to the grid.
The Moray West offshore wind farm, with a capacity of 882 MW, is situated in the Moray Firth, approximately 22.5 kilometers from the Caithness coastline. It is a monumental project that commenced offshore construction work at the beginning of October. The installation of the first monopile foundation by Boskalis marked the beginning of significant offshore construction activities. Once fully operational in 2025, the wind farm, comprising 60 Siemens Gamesa 14.7 MW wind turbines, is expected to meet the electricity needs of approximately 650,000 households in Scotland for a quarter-century.
Celebrated as the first offshore wind topsides to be fabricated in the UK in several years, the successful completion and load-out of the OTMs mark a notable milestone in the country's renewable energy journey. This achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of key players like Siemens Energy, Smulders, and Boskalis in advancing the UK's clean energy production capabilities.
Source: offshorewind.biz