In association with NorSea Group (UK) Ltd., Montrose Port Authority has participated in the Hywind Scotland floating wind project in the North Sea, the companies’ first in this sector.
The four-week campaign consisted of five port calls for the Normand Prosper, anchor handling tug supply vessel. After loading the chain and mooring equipment, the vessel delivered the mooring systems designed to support the Statoil’s floating wind farm project.
Walter Robertson , managing director of NorSea Group (UK) Ltd, said: “We were delighted to secure this project, and nominated Montrose Port Authority because of our quayside storage capacity and excellent working relationships with the local supply chain in and around the port. We have proven our capability and the suitability of Montrose Port for this significant offshore wind project, a first for both companies in this sector.”
The components for the project were assembled at NorSea’s Group Base in Stord, Norway, before being shipped to the project located off Peterhead, Scotland, while the mooring system for the five turbines was stored in Montrose Port.
Nik Scott-Gray , chief executive at Montrose Port Authority, said: “North Sea offshore wind is undoubtedly a growing market and this has instilled a sense of opportunity within the energy industry. Add to this our central location to east coast windfarms such as Inch Cape, Neart Na Gaoith and Seagreen Alpha and Bravo, and Montrose Port Authority becomes the ideal port of choice to support key offshore renewable operations.”
The 30MW Hywind Scotland Pilot Park recently received its final floating turbine , while the first electricity is expected to be produced in October.