A Montrose renewables firm has won a contract to supply the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) wind farm being built off the coast of Fife.
Rix Renewables will use its crew transfer vessel the Rix Lion to transport technicians and equipment to NnG’s offshore substations.
Its sister company Rix Shipping (Scotland) Ltd will act as the shipping agent on the project, providing logistics planning and management.
The Meridian Street firm aims to provide a host of services to windfarm developments that are not available from one single supplier.
These include the provision of technicians, balance of plants services, maintenance, crew transfer vessels, and shipping services.
The NnG contract will also see the upskilling of Rix’s Montrose workforce.
It was awarded by Dutch business HSM Offshore, NnG’s contractor for construction of the project’s two offshore substation topsides.
NnG benefitting Montrose
Rix Renewables managing director James Doyle said the firm will help maximise the efficiency and cost effectiveness of constructing the wind farm.
He said: “This is an important contract for us, because it demonstrates that the main contractors building offshore wind farms can realise significant efficiencies by employing suppliers that offer a broad range of different but interrelated services.
“The Rix Lion will work out of Montrose for the duration of the contract.
“It is wonderful to see this strategically placed port playing an integral role in creating the energy provision of the future, which will help Scotland and the wider UK meet their net zero obligations.”
The Rix Lion is one of four crew transfer vessels owned and operated by Rix Renewables.
The other ships are all contracted out on renewable energy developments across the world.
Local supply chain ‘plays huge role’
NnG, which is jointly owned by EDF Renewables UK and ESB, will have a capacity of 450MW.
Its 54 wind turbine generators will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000 homes and will offset over 400,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The first turbines will be operational in mid-2023, with completion of the entire wind farm scheduled for 2024.
NnG project director Matthias Haag said: “NnG is as committed as ever to working with the Scottish supply chain and we are excited to have Rix Renewables onboard to support the project.
“The local supply chain continues to play a huge role in helping to deliver NnG and we are on course to start generating clean, green electricity for the UK next year.”
The wind farm will be assembled in Dundee, and the first parts arrived in March this year.
Its first offshore electrical substation was installed in June.
Conversation