High voltage services provider Ventus Energy has secured two contracts with Ocean Winds to support the Moray West and Moray East offshore wind farms, located off the coast of Scotland. The agreements will assist in maintaining the high-voltage infrastructure of the projects, which together will have a combined generation capacity of 1,800 MW.
The first contract, covering Moray West, is a comprehensive 18-month deal for operations and maintenance (O&M) services related to offshore transmission owner (OFTO) assets. Ventus Energy's scope of work will include regular inspections, maintenance in accordance with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications, remedial reporting, and detailed record-keeping.
The second contract concerns 24/7 high voltage (HV) control and alarm monitoring services for Moray East's 66kV network. This agreement, initially set for a two-year period with the option for a two-year extension, will be managed from Ventus Energy's HV control center in Belfast. The contract will include HV safety rules management and continuous support services.
Both contracts will involve a team of 20 skilled personnel, and both projects will utilize Elecsys, an electricity network management system aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.
Jonathan Lakey, asset integrity electrical engineer at Ocean Winds, commented on the significance of the collaboration: “Ventus Energy now forms an important part of our operational activities in the Moray Firth. Its expertise ensures Ocean Winds is maximising Scottish clean power generation by maintaining the highest standards in HV operations.”
In addition to regular HV maintenance engineers and technicians, the Moray West contract will also involve cable jointers, project managers, and O&M engineers. The Moray East team will consist of authorising engineers, senior authorised persons (SAPs), cable jointers, control engineers, and maintenance engineers.
Leadership for the frameworks will be overseen by Alastair Symington, head of operations and maintenance, and Colin Bowman, head of control centre operations.
Rauri Maguire, director of commercial operations at Ventus Energy, emphasized the company's expanding role in offshore wind energy, stating: “These new contracts with Ocean Winds strengthen our growing offshore wind portfolio and further position Ventus Energy as a trusted partner in the industry. Both Moray West and Moray East will play a vital role in Scotland's renewable energy future, aligning with our commitment to advancing engineering development and innovation.
As part of the agreement, Ventus Energy's sister company, RTS Wind UK, will be responsible for structural inspections.
All personnel working on the projects will be authorized under Ocean Winds' Safe System of Work and will adhere to Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations, ensuring compliance with the highest safety and quality standards.
