Onshore works restart on Moray East offshore wind project after coronavirus pause

Work has commenced on the onshore sites of the Moray East offshore wind project in Scotland after a break due to the coronavirus crisis.

At the end of March, Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Ltd announced the demobilization of work at the project’s onshore sites, including the new underground cable and substation in Aberdeenshire.

Following the updated guidance from the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland and Construction Scotland, a limited amount of work restarted on 11 May, the project developer said.

The company added that it had worked with its principal contractor Siemens to undertake a full assessment of activities and work will only go ahead where the guidance can be achieved.

“Moray East will form part of Scotland’s critical energy infrastructure, providing low cost electricity to homes, businesses and public services. It has become clear that Coronavirus is not temporary and we are now adjusting to a new way of working to ensure this critical infrastructure is ready to support the recovery,” Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Ltd wrote.

Moray East will consist of 100 MHI Vestas 9.5 MW turbines and three offshore substation platforms in the Moray Firth off the Scottish North East coast.

The 950 MW offshore wind farm is expected to be operational by 2022.