The 882MW wind farm is nearing the end of the construction phase and will become fully operational in 2025, which is in line with the originally projected commercial operations date. When Moray West comes online, Ocean Winds will be the largest offshore wind operator in Scotland.
The Moray West project, under the stewardship of Ocean Winds, has been remarkable in achieving this milestone in line with the project program, delivering against a very rigorous timeline and the varied challenges of extreme weather, grid connection, and supply chain constraints.
The pre-assembly activity of the 60 turbines has been managed by Siemens Gamesa, Siemens Energy’s wind business, who also manufactured all the 180 blades for the project at their facility in Hull, UK. The Hull site has recruited more than 600 people in the last 12 months and now employs around 1,300 people.
Siemens Gamesa has been marshaling all turbine components at the Port of Nigg, where the Cadeler heavy lift vessel ‘Wind Orca’ undertook the installation. Siemens Gamesa’s technicians on land and on board the vessel have overseen each installation and are in the process of commissioning each turbine.
Following the installation of all primary project components across foundations, the offshore and onshore substations, array, and export cables, and now the wind turbines – the project continues its commissioning and testing phase before full acceptance of the project in 2025.
Moray West, part of Ocean Winds’ 6GW portfolio of secured offshore wind farms in the UK, is expected to inject over £800 million into the local Scottish economy throughout its lifespan, and during construction phases, it will create more than 1,500 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) years in Scotland, with more than 60 direct long-term operational roles based in Buckie. More than half of the investment and operating costs of Moray West will benefit the UK economy, underlining Ocean Winds’ commitment to local supply chains.
