The first turbine components for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm have arrived at Forth Ports’ Port of Dundee, starting a heavy transport and marshalling operation for the project’s 72 Vestas V236-15MW turbines.
The Port of Dundee will receive 576 turbine components, comprising 288 tower sections, 216 blades and 72 nacelles. Inch Cape Offshore Limited said shipments will arrive almost weekly until late September using six heavy transport vessels. Boldwind and Tony Stark are among the vessels scheduled for the deliveries.
More than 130 personnel will work across a 170,000 sq m area at the port. Their activities will include receiving and marshalling the components, assembly and commissioning, followed by load-out for offshore installation. The tower sections are scheduled to arrive first, followed by nacelles and blades.
Each of the 72 turbines will comprise a four-section tower, three 115.5 m blades and a nacelle. The towers will be assembled at the quayside, with the tallest reaching 127.4 m.
Inch Cape will be the first UK project to use the Vestas V236-15MW turbine. An earlier project agreement between Inch Cape Offshore Limited and Vestas covers the supply, installation and commissioning of 72 turbines. The project is located in the North Sea, 15 km from the Angus coast.
Offshore turbine installation is scheduled to begin in November using Cadeler’s newbuild turbine installation vessel Wind Mover. The vessel will transport the turbines from Dundee to the offshore site in batches of four.
Inch Cape Offshore Limited is a 50/50 joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables.