AMEC Wins Contract for World's Largest Deep Water Wind Turbines

AMEC has been awarded a contract to design and manage delivery of the world's first deepwater wind energy turbines in the Moray Firth approximately 70 kilometres north east of Inverness, eastern Scotland.

The contract, for Talisman Energy (UK) Limited and partner Scottish and Southern Energy, is being partly funded by the Scottish Executive, the DTI and the European Union.

Two five-megawatt turbines will be sited in 45 metres of water. They are part of a demonstration programme to prove technical and commercial viability of deepwater offshore wind turbines.

"Talisman is a major player in the North Sea and the driving force behind what is Europe's largest renewable energy research and technology development programme" said Neil Bruce, Managing Director of AMEC's Oil & Gas business. "We look forward to applying our programme management and engineering expertise to this innovative renewables project which further strengthens our position as a major player in the wind energy sector."

The project will develop new technologies and processes to enable Europe to take a global lead in deepwater offshore wind farms. The scheme will involve leading research bodies across Europe, including Strathclyde and Aberdeen universities.

Deepwater wind farms are less visually intrusive than land-based or shallow-water wind farms. However, their remoteness presents a challenge in transmitting electricity back to shore. The turbines will be located near to Talisman's Beatrice oilfield where existing infrastructure and connections will be modified to accept electricity from the turbines for onward transmission to shore. The field's production platforms will also provide a base to carry out turbine monitoring and maintenance.

Subject to planning approval, installation will be carried out during Summer 2006 and commissioning of first power will be completed by late Summer.

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Posted 11/04/05

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