Scotland: SgurrEnergy awarded O&M contract for 7MW demonstration offshore wind turbine

The turbine, acquired from Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), becomes the world’s most advanced, open access, offshore wind turbine dedicated to research, and offers opportunities for considerable training and development of skills vital for the future of the offshore wind industry.

SgurrEnergy’s engineers and consultants will provide full operational support, knowledge and expertise for the day to day operations and maintenance of the turbine, combining 24/7 remote monitoring and onsite management.

The turbine offers UK industry and academia an unrivalled opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of a wide range of technologies as well as the operations and maintenance aspects of offshore wind turbines, and thus drive down the cost of delivering clean energy from offshore wind.

Robbie Gibson, Group Director of SgurrEnergy, said: “Securing the full O&M contract for the Levenmouth turbine is testament to our strong expertise in wind energy.  Our team will operate and maintain the wind turbine to ensure the correct balance between performance, availability and innovative R&D project allowance, using 24/7 remote monitoring combined with onsite management and support.  We look forward to working with and supporting ORE Catapult on this exciting project.”

Andrew Jamieson, Chief Executive of ORE Catapult, said: “Having a dedicated offshore wind turbine, accessible from shore, will prove a massive advantage for Scotland and indeed the UK’s offshore wind industry – a real world first. It enables us to extend and enhance both existing and future research programmes, provide an unrivalled testing environment for new technologies and facilitate the development of skills and experience critical to the future development of the industry, and its continuing efforts to reduce costs.

“I am very keen to see our ambitions in Levenmouth act as a magnet for innovation and skills development, attracting further investment to the area and helping to put Fife at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy industry.”