Minister for Energy celebrates start of local operations and maintenance building construction for Moray West

Gillian Martin MSP, Minister for Energy, today marked the start of construction at the Buckie harbourside brownfield site for the new Operations & Maintenance (O&M) base that will initially service the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm, developed by Ocean Winds.  The new 2,000 m² O&M base will feature cutting-edge technology, including a fully equipped workshop and warehouse, as well as office and training facilities.  

Recruitment for the new O&M base is underway, with 11 of the full complement of around 60 long term local roles already in post and undergoing the necessary rigorous training. Further employment will be stimulated across the regional supply chain. 

Service technicians will prepare equipment for use on the wind farm and kit-up prior to boarding the crew transfer vessels that will be berthed alongside new pontoons in the harbour.  Staff will also be based in the facility to manage the warehouse, health and safety and equipment monitoring of the wind farm. 

The new base at Buckie will complement the existing base for the Moray East project in Fraserburgh and will enable Ocean Winds to efficiently manage and maintain the growing number of Ocean Winds offshore wind farms in the Moray Firth.  The new O&M hub formed by the two sites will ensure that the wind farms run smoothly and continue to provide reliable clean energy for many years to come.

Photo of ground- breaking at site of Buckie Operations Base. Photo (L to R): Jamie Dempster, Ocean Winds Operations & Maintenance Manager, Adam Morrison, Ocean Winds UK Country Manager, and Gillian Martin MSP, Energy Minister (Image: Ocean Winds)

Project Director for Moray West, Pete Geddes said: “Thanks to the efforts of our team and wider stakeholders, including particularly Moray Council, we are strategically extending the Ocean Winds footprint on the Moray Firth coast by developing this O&M base from where we will service our offshore wind farms, creating 60 long-term high skill jobs in Buckie.”

Scottish Government Energy Minister Gillian Martin said: “The start of construction on this operations and maintenance base demonstrates the impact of Scotland’s renewable energy revolution. Welcome growth in the number of offshore wind farms in the Moray Firth presents an opportunity to create good quality green jobs, accessing the latest in innovation and technology.

“Scotland has the skills, talent and natural resources with which to become a global renewables powerhouse. Through our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, we aim to take advantage of the enormous opportunities offered by becoming a net zero economy by 2045.”