Bechtel And Hexicon To Demonstrate Floating Wind Technology - Could The Dounreay Tri Project Happen?

17th March 2021

Bechtel is partnering with windfarm developer Hexicon to demonstrate offshore wind technology that could be a ‘game-changer' as it can be deployed in deep waters at a lower cost of energy than other solutions. The industry currently relies on shallow water platforms that are fixed to the seabed.

Global engineering and construction company Bechtel is working with Swedish floating windfarm developer and technology provider Hexicon to deliver large-scale offshore floating wind projects along the British coastline and abroad.

Marcus Thor, CEO of Hexicon, said, "Our technology is one of a handful of solutions that can support deep water offshore wind projects, which will massively increase the potential for offshore wind power generation.

"The UK has shown great initiative in this industry and we are delighted to have world-leading construction and engineering company Bechtel to help us deploy our innovative twin turbine floating foundation in British waters."

The initial partnership will draw on Bechtel's engineering, construction, and project financing expertise to develop the design and constructability of the offshore wind facility. In addition to demonstrating a 35 to 40MW floating wind project, the team will also establish how the technology could be brought to market, and explore the roles that local suppliers could play in shipbuilding, mooring, and installations, as well as the long-term serving needs of floating offshore wind.

16 Dec 2020: EIA Scoping Report submitted to Marine Scotland by CIP. The wind farm site was formerly reserved for the construction of the 8-12 MW Dounreay Trì wind farm (see UK2U) by Hexicon AB and consent was granted in 2017 but the the project failed to start construction and missed out on Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC). CIP is now the majority shareholder and has reignited the project through its newly formed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) ‘Highland Wind Limited'. CIP plans to build a new 100 MW floating wind farm (Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm (PFOWF)) with commissioning in 2026. CIP are also considering using the existing consent for the Dounreay Trì project to build a Demonstrator in advance of the main PFOWF (See UK2U). The final details of the Demonstrator have not been determined but will be within the original parameters. The Demonstrator project infrastructure will be consented and constructed separately from the broader PFOWF but will ultimately form part of the wider array i.e. contribute to the overall 100 MW. Highland Wind Limited is currently in consultation with Marine Scotland regarding potential required variations to the existing Dounreay Trì Project consent to construct and operate the proposed Demonstrator. It is currently envisaged that the Demonstrator would be constructed and operational by mid-2023.

Been coming for years

Dounreay Trì Floating Wind Demonstration Project

Dounreay Trì Floating Wind Demonstration Project located approximately 6km offshore Dounreay, Caithness, North coast of Scotland.

An application for section 36 consent and two marine licences was submitted in October 2016. The project was consented in 2017. An assignation application was submitted in March 2019.

More information about the project is available from https://www.hexicon.eu/dounreay-tri/

18 January 2021

CIP puts plans for new floating Pentland project forward

https://www.4coffshore.com/news/cip-puts-plans-for-new-floating-pentland-project-forward-nid20784.html