Moray West Moray West selects Siemens Energy for onshore substation

14/12/21, 2:43 PM

Moray West, an 860MW offshore wind farm in the outer Moray Firth, in which Ocean Winds is the majority shareholder, has selected Siemens Energy for the supply of the onshore substation.  Subject to award of a Contract for Difference in 2022 and Financial Close, the onshore substation for the wind farm will feature Siemens High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) equipment.  Project design and execution will be provided from the Siemens Energy offices in Manchester, their global competence centre for all HVAC offshore wind farm grid connections.

The substation will be built at Whitehillock, near Keith in Moray and will step up the voltage from 220 to 400 kilovolts (kV).   Its location has been selected to minimise environmental impact and allow connection to existing national electricity transmission system infrastructure at the neighbouring Blackhillock substation.

Siemens Energy has a strong record on other local projects that have helped connect rapidly growing renewable energy generation across the north of Scotland to the national electricity transmission system. 

The Moray East substation near New Deer in Aberdeenshire was also supplied by Siemens Energy, as was much of the infrastructure at the Blackhillock substation, which is the largest in the UK.
 

Visualisation of the Whitehillock substation from the north west

Project Director for Moray West, Adam Morrison said:

“The decision to select Siemens Energy was made after an extensive procurement process. Siemens Energy have a strong track record, including the delivery of the Moray East substation and we are delighted to work with them on the next Ocean Winds project, Moray West.  Siemens Energy will deliver more world class electrical infrastructure for Moray West  to ensure the project can reliably export green electricity to consumers across the UK.

Siemens Energy is committed to using local contractors and will work with the Moray West project team to maximise the potential for the regional supply chain to secure sub-contracts on this part of the overall project, including through Meet the Buyer events.”

Phil Manley, Project Director, Siemens Energy UK&I said:

“Our experience in Scotland working with local suppliers to deliver renewable and transmission projects is extensive, and we’re pleased to be able to bring this local expertise and our world-class technology, to the Moray West project.” 

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.  Moray West – Project Status & History

Moray Offshore Windfarm (West) Limited, known as Moray West, is a fully consented offshore wind project off the coast of Scotland.  The project is expected to enter the next Contract for Difference (CfD) auction that the UK government has confirmed with be run in early 2022.

The development of Moray West follows on from the delivery the adjacent Moray East offshore wind farm, which won a CfD in 2017 with a dramatic 50% cost reduction compared to CfD awards in 2015 and is currently in final commissioning phase for 100 x 9.5MW wind turbines.

2. Project History:

2010 – Development of Zone 1 the Moray Firth commenced when development rights were won in the UK’s 3rd round of offshore wind licensing. The zone was split into two, to enable Moray East to be developed ahead of Moray West, as there were constraints in the west of the zone. Constraints in the west eased, and development of Moray West commenced in 2016.

2018-19 – Planning consents secured from Scottish Government, Moray Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

3. Project ownership:

The Moray West project is being developed by Ocean Winds.  Ignitis Group has a minor shareholding.

Ocean Winds is the result of a 50-50 joint venture between EDP Renewables (EDPR) and ENGIE. Empowered by its clean and endless wind energy, Ocean Winds is one of the most important developers of offshore wind farms globally, with a presence in 8 countries, and several projects in operation, construction and development.   In the United-Kingdom, it is also the majority shareholder of Moray East, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.

4. Project Statistics:

Size: Grid connection for 860MW with consent for up to 85 turbines. The exact number and model of turbines to be supplied by Siemens Gamesa remains to be determined.

Location: Moray Firth, Scotland, over 22km from the coastline

 5. For further information please contact:

Roger McMichael, Stakeholder Manager M: 07717 367 150

E: roger.mcmichael@oceanwinds.com