The port of Aberdeen’s proposed South Harbour upgrade project has progressed to the second stage of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s (SOWEC) Strategic Investment Model (SIM), moving a step closer to becoming a strategic hub for floating offshore wind.
The significant upgrade involves a capital dredge project to deepen 750 m of quayside to 14.5 m, providing suitable depth for the majority of ScotWind and INTOG project turbine designs.
Combined with South Harbour’s laydown area and ultra-heavy lift capacity, the facility will support turbine integrations and foundation assemblies. Looking further ahead, it also positions the port to handle major component exchanges with tow-in, tow-out operations.
Bob Sanguinetti, ceo of the port of Aberdeen, said: “SOWEC’s prioritisation of the South Harbour upgrade is a significant vote of confidence from both the Scottish government and industry in our GBP420 million (USD524.4 million) expansion. Upgrading South Harbour for floating offshore wind will ensure the unrivalled energy supply chain in Aberdeen and wider northeast of Scotland can maximise the opportunities presented by ScotWind and INTOG.”
SOWEC’s SIM was established to help deliver growth within Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain by working across industry and the public sector. In May 2023, a first call for proposals from ports and supply chain companies was launched, with 44 applications received. 38 of those projects completed stage one of the process, which concluded at the start of 2024.
On January 24, SIM confirmed that an initial three projects, including Global Energy Group’s (GEG) port of Nigg’s West Quay expansion project and a project at the port of Cromarty Firth, will move into stage two.
