Inch Cape Offshore Limited (ICOL) has signed capacity reservation agreements with Dajin Offshore Heavy Industry (Dajin Offshore) and Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Heavy Industry (GWSHI) for XXL monopile foundations for the 1.1 gigawatt Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm.
The agreements secure the supply, fabrication and delivery of monopile foundations for the wind farm which is currently progressing towards full construction. The project will comprise up to 72 wind turbines sited in the North Sea 15 kilometres from the east coast of Angus in Scotland.
XXL monopiles are designed for the latest generation of offshore wind turbines. The Inch Cape monopiles will each have a maximum outer diameter of 11.5 metres (m), a maximum length of 110m and a weight of up to 2700 tonnes.
Fabrication of the monopiles is due to commence in late 2024 with delivery to the project scheduled for late 2025.
ICOL, owner of Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, is an equal joint venture between Edinburgh-based renewable and sustainable energy company, Red Rock Power Limited and Ireland’s leading energy company, ESB.
GWSHI’s monopile yard in Qinzhou, China (left) and Dajin Offshore’s monopile yard in Penglai, China (right)
Background:
Owners
ESB has been Ireland’s foremost energy company since it was established in 1927, driven by an unwavering commitment to power society forward and deliver a net-zero future for our customers and the communities we serve. Launched in 2022, its ‘Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040’ strategy sets out a clear roadmap for ESB to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. It also commits ESB to a science-based target for 2030 to provide assurance that we are decarbonising our operations at the necessary pace and scale.
As a strong, diversified utility, ESB operates across the electricity market, from generation through transmission and distribution, to supply of customers in addition to using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. ESB is a leading Irish utility with a regulated asset base of approximately EUR 12.0 billion (comprising ESB Networks at EUR 9.7 billion and NIE Networks at EUR 2.3 billion), a 30 % share of generation in the all-island market and supply businesses supplying electricity and gas to over two million customer accounts throughout the island of Ireland and Great Britain. As at 31 December 2022, ESB Group employed over 8,000 people. For more information visit: https://esb.ie/
Red Rock Power Limited – headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland – is a developer, owner and operator of renewable energy projects. As well as Inch Cape, it owns or has interests in four other onshore and offshore wind farm projects across Scotland and in Sweden. The company is actively pursuing development and acquisition opportunities to grow its existing wind portfolio, as well as expanding into other European markets and sustainable energy sectors.
Red Rock Power Limited is a wholly-owned European subsidiary of SDIC Power Holdings Co. Ltd, based in Beijing. SDIC Power is listed on Shanghai and London Stock Exchanges and owns a total installed capacity of 37.7642 GW globally, almost 70% of which is generated from renewable energy projects. For more information visit www.redrockpower.co.uk.
Suppliers
Dajin Offshore is largest private Chinese offshore wind fabricator of monopiles, transition pieces and offshore towers. For Dajin top priority is QHSE that was confirmed to be at outstanding levels by independent audits. On top Dajin set clear goals to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2035. Dajin can produce XXL monopiles with up to 11.5m diameter, 2 500T weights and 120m lengths. Dajin operates from its own open sea port with quays of 560m length and water depths up to 14.4m. Annual capacity is at the level of 1 million tons of steel. Dajin is offering to transport foundations from China to overseas markets developing own fleet of large cargo vessels. In addition, Dajin is ready to contribute to European Local Content for offshore wind and for that is delivering secondary structures and electrical outfitting based on EU fabrication and supply chain. Dajin is expanding its capacity and capability including XXXL monopiles with diameter 16m, length up to 150m and weight up to 5000 tonnes as well as floating foundations and jackets to be ready for fabrication in 2024. For more information: www.dajin.cn
Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Heavy Industry (GWSHI) is a world leading solution provider specialising in large scale manufacturing for offshore energy, renewable energy, oil and gas applications, infrastructure and mining. GWSHI is part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). With over 40 years of experience, GWSHI has an extensive track record supplying complex projects globally for the energy sector. GWSHI’s core business sectors include: large scale structural fabrication, engineering, resources integration, supply chain management, project management, global logistics and financing. Through its seven yards, with a total area of 3,294,000m² and located in the South of China, the company manufactures one of the most complete steel product ranges worldwide and offers complete solutions for our customers. The range of products includes: XXXL monopiles (up to and including 15m OD), fully fabricated floating wind structures, transition pieces for both monopiles and jackets, offshore wind farm serial jackets, pin piles, suction buckets, tubulars for serial jackets, large scale steel structures, jack-up and pressure vessels. For more information: https://www.cssc-cwhi.com/
