Construction
Inch Cape is one of Scotland’s largest current infrastructure projects. Construction is well underway with the project set to be fully operational in 2027.
Construction overview
Onshore substation
Inch Cape started work at the 2.6 hectare Cockenzie brownfield site in 2023 with principal contractor Siemens Energy leading the activity. Scottish civil engineering company, RJ McLeod completed the enabling works in late 2023 with the main civil works undertaken by civil engineering contractor Careys. In 2025 the shunt reactors and super grid transformers arrived, cladding was installed on the buildings and visual screen and site infrastructure complete. The focus now is on commissioning, cable installation, testing and finalising the work at the SP Energy Networks Cockenzie Power Station ready for grid connection.
Landfall
Works at the landfall site by civil engineering contractor Charles Brand, including cable duct installation and the removal and replacement of a 35-metre section of seawall, were completed in time for the installation of the first export cable in 2025 with further work undertaken before the arrival of the second export cable in June 2026. Further short-diversions of the John Muir Way footpath may be required and information about any potentially disruptive work will be shared with the local community.
Offshore
The topside – Siemens Energy Offshore Transformer Module – and jacket foundation were fabricated at Smulders yard in Wallsend, near Newcastle in the UK and installed by Heerema Marine Contractors utilising the mighty semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir in August 2025.
The first export cable arrived in the UK at the Port of Blyth in June 2025 and was installed by Enshore Subsea in three sections during summer/autumn 2025. Prior to the installation of both the offshore substation and first export cable, the project undertook comprehensive pre-construction surveys along with a now-completed unexploded ordnance disposal campaign and necessary boulder clearance. The second export cable arrived in the UK in May 2026 and has been installed in three 28-kilometre sections, with cable burial ongoing.
Fabrication of the project’s main offshore components, except for the turbines, is now complete. The first XXL monopiles arrived at the Port of Leith in October 2025, the first transition pieces in January 2026 and the first jacket foundations in March 2026. Heavy lift vessel Les Alizés completed the installation of the project’s 54 monopiles in June 2026 with transition piece installation by Seaway7’s Alfa Lift completed in August. Next in terms of offshore construction will be the start of the array cable installation and the installation of the pin piles, followed by the jacket foundations. The first wind turbine generators will be pre-assembled and installed later in 2026 from Port of Dundee.
Operations & maintenance
Construction of Inch Cape’s long-term operations and maintenance base in the Port of Montrose started in July 2025, following the placement of the communications mast earlier in the year. The building continues to take shape with good progress on the external structure and internal fit-out so far. A timelapse of the progress to spring 2026 can be viewed here.
Recent construction photos
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Programme
- Bank launch
- Main contractors appointed
- Financial close
- Offshore substation complete
- Foundation installation start
- Export cable 1 installed
Landfall
- Onshore substation complete
- Export cable 2 installed
- Foundation installation complete
- Wind turbines installed and first power generated
- Inter array cables complete
- Wind turbine installation and commissioning complete
- Commercial operations date
