ESB and Red Rock Renewables have finalized a deal with Vestas to install 15MW turbines at the 1,080MW Inch Cape offshore wind farm, located off the east coast of Scotland. This agreement solidifies an earlier preferred supplier arrangement and encompasses the supply, installation, and commissioning of 72 units, along with a long-term service and warranty agreement. Additionally, it includes a “tailor-made operational support agreement.”
The project will utilize V236 turbines, featuring 115-meter blades and a rotor diameter of 236 meters. The Inch Cape wind farm is situated in the North Sea, approximately 15 kilometers from the Angus coast, and will connect to the UK national grid at the site of the former coal-fired power station at Cockenzie, East Lothian.
Construction is progressing with the development of the onshore substation and the offshore platform, according to the developers. Project director John Hill expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Vestas, stating, “We are delighted to be working with Vestas on the deployment of these latest fully certified state-of-the-art turbines. When operational, these turbines will deliver more than 5 TWh of renewable electricity each year, making a vital contribution to the UK's energy security and emissions reduction targets.”
Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe, emphasized the significance of the project, noting, “We are very pleased to have signed this conditional agreement for a pivotal project for Scotland's offshore wind industry. Inch Cape will have a significant impact on the UK's sustainable energy future and we are proud to stand at the forefront of this transition.”
The installation of the turbines is scheduled to commence in 2026, utilizing one of Cadeler's newbuild M-class wind turbine installation vessels.
