MEMBER NEWS: Offshore wind contract underscores Balmoral renewables pedigree

September 5, 2023
MEMBER NEWS: Offshore wind contract underscores Balmoral renewables pedigree

Offshore energy supply chain company, Balmoral, has adapted and transitioned a number of its proven buoyancy and protection solutions for use in the fixed and floating offshore wind sector.

The company provides an extensive range of products to the renewables market backed by a four decade-plus track record in the subsea sector and, with the recent announcements of increased offshore wind activity nationally and internationally, it is finding significant traction for its products around the world.

A recent multi-million pound contract award for a fixed wind cable protection system (CPS) in UK waters has further enhanced the company’s order books and demonstrates customer confidence in Balmoral’s technology, according to sales director, Gary Yeoman.

He said: “While our oil and gas activity remains robust, more than 60% of current enquiries relate to renewables projects while over the past year around 40% of order intake has come directly from the offshore wind sector.

“Proven technologies such as our cable protection systems, distributed buoyancy and tether clamps have been welcomed by the renewables industry and, as such, we are well placed to meet local content criteria for the forthcoming Scotwind and INTOG projects with discussions continuing at pace with developers, installation contractors and cable suppliers.”

These core products have been readily accepted by the wind sector that is keen to build an experienced and reliable supply chain.

Engineering and projects director, Fraser Milne, said: “It is understood that the offshore wind sector is at the early stages of development with many challenges to overcome. We believe our track record of innovation and entrepreneurship positions us well to assist in this process.

“Being able to offer our clients support and advice on their projects including 3D modelling, hydrodynamic engineering and finite element analysis, as well as laboratory and testing services, puts us in a unique position”, Mr Milne said.

“We utilise our 40+ years’ experience in offshore product design and manufacture to ensure our portfolio meets the distinctive demands of offshore renewables. This is supported by a roadmap of new innovations being released with the Balmoral HexDefence® scour protection system being a recent example.

“Offshore wind is currently receiving most attention but our products are designed for the wider sector including wave and tidal current energy.

“Being ‘Fit For Offshore Renewables’ (F4OR) accredited, on top of our ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 certification, instils a high level of confidence in our design, manufacturing and testing capabilities.”

Balmoral is also certified by Bureau Veritas in accordance with API 17L and uses this as a basis for its renewables portfolio. Although this is an oil and gas specification the renewables sector recognises it due to a lack of current standards in the developing market.

The company carries a large bank of patented technologies as Ian Milne, sales manager for the renewable sector, explains: “Our products operate in some of the toughest subsea environments in the world addressing the dynamic challenges of underwater conditions.

“It is our knowledge of these environments that is really adding value to offshore installations and this experience and innovation has seen us recently shortlisted for six industry awards from Scottish Renewables and the Energy Industries Council (EIC).

“We provide solutions from cable entry to floating foundations, all the way from the dynamic cable to touchdown and continuing through the array to the next wind turbine generator.”

The company reports that it has supported projects that are now, or in the process of, generating some 6.7GW of wind power across UK and international waters.

“Combined with industry-leading knowledge, in-house capabilities, experience and scalable manufacturing capacity, we are pleased to be contributing to the ongoing efforts in taking the offshore wind sector to maturity.

“These are exciting times for the industry in the north-east of Scotland and we look forward to discussing our progress during Offshore Europe in Aberdeen at the beginning of September”, concluded Gary Yeoman.

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
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The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

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