Qinzhou, China — CNOOD-Wenchong Heavy Industries (CWHI) has marked a key milestone in the development of the 1,100 MW Inch Cape offshore wind project with the completion of the first cutting and rolling of monopiles intended for installation off the coast of Scotland. The event took place at CWHI's flagship Qinzhou Yard, where representatives from project co-developers ESB and Red Rock Renewables attended the ceremony.
CWHI's role in the Inch Cape project involves the fabrication, commissioning, and shipping of 32 XXL monopiles to the Port of Leith in Scotland. These large steel structures will support Vestas' 15MW turbines.
The monopiles are among the largest ever designed and fabricated for UK offshore wind farms, with each structure featuring an outer diameter of up to 11.5 meters, a length of up to 110 meters, and a weight of as much as 2,700 tonnes. The fabrication process will ramp up in the coming weeks, with the rolling of cans already underway, and all monopiles are slated for delivery in 2025.
Lay Tao, deputy general manager at CWHI, commented on the achievement, saying: “This project represents a major milestone for CWHI as we deliver our first international monopiles—the largest ever installed in UK waters—from our newly expanded, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in China. It highlights our commitment to advancing renewable energy and supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
CWHI emphasized its pride in contributing to the Inch Cape project, which it believes will have a significant impact on the UK's renewable energy sector. The company also sees the project as setting a benchmark for future offshore developments around the world.
