Scotland To House UK’s Largest Offshore Wind Tower Manufacturing Facility

Scottish energy company Global Energy Group (GEG) has finalised terms with offshore wind tower manufacturer Haizea Wind Group to build a £110 million ($146 million) offshore wind tubular rolling facility at Port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands.

Nigg Offshore Wind (NOW) will be a 450-meter-long, 38,000m2 factory, capable of rolling steel plate to supply towers that will weigh in excess of 1,000 tonnes each to the UK offshore fixed and floating wind industry in the UK and abroad.

The facility has been designed to supply towers and other components suitable for both the fixed and floating offshore wind markets and will integrate cutting-edge robotics and welding inspection technology originally developed for the offshore oil and gas industry.

Regional staff historically employed in the oil and gas industry will have the opportunity to be re-trained and upskilled at the Nigg Skills Academy to allow them to operate the machinery required to roll these giant structures.

Subject to achieving financial close, the NOW factory will receive financial backing of £15 million ($20 million) in debt from SSE Renewables, along with senior debt being provided by Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund.

Global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power will also provide £5 million ($6.4 million) in debt, and will be a strategic partner in the long-term development of the facility.

The factory is expected to receive funding support from the Scottish Government via Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the UK Government via the offshore wind manufacturing investment support scheme.