MEMBER NEWS: Rovco to Provide Offshore Wind Inspection Work for Key Ørsted Sites in the US

April 25, 2024
MEMBER NEWS: Rovco to Provide Offshore Wind Inspection Work for Key Ørsted Sites in the US

Rovco, a leading provider of tech-powered offshore wind solutions, has signed a framework agreement with Ørsted to provide O&M (Operations and Maintenance) work on two of the developer’s US sites, Block Island Wind Farm and South Fork Wind Farm.

Block Island Wind Farm, Rhode Island, was the first offshore wind farm in the United States and generates 30 MW of renewable energy. The landmark South Fork Wind project became the US’ first commercial-scale wind farm in March of this year, delivering 132MW to Long Island in New York.

To help inform Ørsted’s operations at these key sites, Rovco will carry out O&M work using ROV’s (remote operated vehicles) coupled with its state-of-the-art SubSLAM technology (simultaneous location and mapping). This will provide live stream inspections and precise real-time 3D reconstructions of site assets, supporting quick decision-making onshore. The full site data capture will give Ørsted detailed insight into both the structures themselves and the surrounding environment.

Rovco’s industry-leading tech helps to cut both timelines and costs for developers in their inspection work. This combination of AI, robotics, and SLAM technologies can be used to provide insights and drive efficiencies across the planning, development, construction, and maintenance phases at offshore wind sites.

With a strong reputation across global markets for these tech-powered offshore wind solutions, the agreement with Ørsted is a key development in Rovco’s expansion plans for the US. Crucial to this expansion will be Rovco’s commitment to supporting local supply chain objectives and hiring local talent. The Ørsted contract, along with other framework agreements, will enable the creation of 25 new roles that will be managed out of Rovco’s New York office, with recruitment already underway.

Mitch Johnson, Rovco’s Director of Americas, said of the framework agreement: “We’re delighted to be working with Ørsted, using our industry-leading technology to help them inspect and maintain two key offshore wind farms in the US. Landmark sites like Block Island and South Fork are crucial in building local supply chains, infrastructure, and jobs. Providing the momentum needed for further growth of the US offshore wind market.”

Brian Allen, CEO at Rovco, added: “The US has the potential to be a leading market for offshore wind and Ørsted is playing a key role in building capacity, so we’re proud to be supporting them with our high-tech offshore wind solutions. This framework agreement is an important contribution to Rovco’s global mission of accelerating the industry’s clean energy transition.”

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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.

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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.

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