Offshore Wind Market in Aberdeen
The sight of offshore wind turbines off the coast of Aberdeen symbolises a change in direction for the city, its energy mix and its offshore industry, says a press release by UK Chamber of Shipping. Looking out to sea from Aberdeen, a gaggle of offshore wind turbines floats among the usual scattering of offshore support vessels waiting at anchor. Beside them waits an enormous wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), recognisable by its four upright jack-up legs, which are raised above the water while the ship is not in service. The sight of these structures symbolises a change in direction for Aberdeen, its energy mix and its offshore industry. The turbines are part of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), which is currently being installed in Aberdeen Bay.
Vattenfall Pontoon Launched in Aberdeen
Construction of a 30-meter-long, purpose-built floating crew transfer pontoon in Aberdeen Harbor’s Albert Basin has been completed by Swedish energy firm Vattenfall – supporting a new gateway for renewables in the center of the country’s energy industry. The 180m² pontoon, which is the only one of its kind at Aberdeen Harbor, has been specially built on Commercial Quay West as part of a 24-year agreement with the Harbor Board and can accommodate up to three crew transfer vessels at any one time. It will initially be used to support construction of Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Center (EOWDC) and then as a marine support base for its on-going operations and maintenance(O&M) program.
Donald Trump Angered by Scotland Planning Decision
Consent for an offshore wind farm off Aberdeen, opposed by Donald Trump, has been granted by the Scottish government. The £230m development consists of 11 wind turbines. Mr Trump claims they would spoil the sea views for golfers on his course at Menie, where he also wants to build a 140-bedroom hotel. The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) project is a joint venture by utility company Vattenfall, engineering firm Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (Areg). The project is aimed at providing enough energy for more than 49,000 homes. Source: BBC News
Scottish Government Approves EOWDC Project
The project partners behind the ground-breaking European Offshore Wind Deployment Center (EOWDC) welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to approve consent for the project. The project is a demonstration facility for next generation wind turbines and associated technology. With expected capital expenditure of more than £230 million, the EOWDC would prove to be a major investment in Scotland’s renewables infrastructure and a vital boost to its offshore wind ambitions. The EOWDC is a joint venture between Vattenfall – Europe’s sixth largest generator of electricity – the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), a pioneering private-public partnership, and consortium partner Technip Offshore Wind, a leading provider of specialist offshore wind installation and project management services.
Offshore Wind Energy – Scotland Could Take Global Lead
Scotland's foremost energy economist to tell “All Energy” Aberdeen conference that plans for a controversial demonstrator wind farm in Aberdeen Bay could enable Scotland to take a global lead in the development of offshore wind energy. According to a 'Scotsman' news report, Donald Trump, who is threatening to pull the plug on his £750 million golf resort development in Aberdeenshire because of the plans for the “monstrous” 11-turbine offshore development, warned First Minister Alex Salmond earlier this month that his drive to establish Scotland as a renewables powerhouse will “single-handedly” destroy the economic wellbeing of Scotland.
