Ocean Winds has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the inaugural Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD wind turbine at the Moray West offshore wind farm, situated in the outer Moray Firth, Scotland. This installation marks the commencement of a major project set to impact the UK's renewable energy landscape.
Equipped with “Power Boost” technology, each turbine boasts an impressive potential output of up to 14.7 MW. The pre-assembly operations for the entire fleet of 60 turbines are under the management of Siemens Gamesa, who is also responsible for manufacturing all 180 B108 blades for the project at their facility in Hull.
The Hull facility has recently undergone expansion to accommodate the production of the B108 blades, which, upon installation, will claim the title of the longest blades in UK waters. With a length of 108 meters, these blades surpass even the dimensions of Wembley Stadium's football pitch, demonstrating their resilience against the harsh offshore conditions.
Siemens Gamesa is coordinating the marshalling of all turbine components at the Port of Nigg, from where the Cadeler heavy lift vessel Wind Orca is facilitating the installations. The ambitious wind turbine installation campaign is anticipated to span the majority of 2024.
Pete Geddes, Project Director for Moray West, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “This is a fantastic achievement, which is the result of the collective efforts of an incredible team of skilled professionals.” He commended the collaboration with Siemens Gamesa and highlighted the significance of the project in showcasing innovation and supporting the UK supply chain.
Darren Davidson, Vice President of Siemens Energy UK&I and Siemens Gamesa UK, lauded the progress, remarking, “It's fantastic to see the first Moray West turbine successfully installed out in the North Sea.” He expressed pride in the team's efforts and emphasized the project's role in advancing the UK's offshore wind targets.
