The offshore substation and jacket foundation for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm have been installed at the project site in the North Sea, 21 kilometres off the Angus coast. The Siemens Energy Offshore Transformer Module (OTM), supported by a 68-metre jacket foundation, was installed by Heerema Marine Contractors using the semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir. The 2,700-tonne platform includes two circuits, each with a transformer and reactor.
Assembly and fit-out of the OTM and its foundation took place over approximately 18 months at the Smulders yard in Wallsend, Newcastle. A team of over 250 workers was involved, supported by around 80 UK sub-contractors providing lifting, scaffolding, engineering and coating services. The next key offshore activity will be the installation of the first of two export cables, planned for late summer 2025. First power is expected in late 2026, with commercial operation scheduled for 2027. The Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm is owned by Inch Cape Offshore Wind, a 50:50 joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables.
