Construction begins at Inch Cape wind farm

Located off the Angus coast in Scotland, the wind farm will contribute to the UK government’s target of 43 to 51 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

Once complete, the wind farm will generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of half of all Scottish homes, reducing carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes a year.

The wind farm, a joint venture between ESB and Red Rock Renewables, will be the first in the UK to install 15 MW Vestas turbines.

Preparations are underway for transporting and installing the monopile foundations, with work scheduled to begin in late 2025. Each monopile will be up to 110 metres long and weigh 2,500 tonnes. They will be loaded at a newly built quayside at the entrance to the Port of Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Supporting this installation is Jan De Nul’s heavy-lift vessel, Les Alizés, which is on long-term charter to RWE.

“There are few vessels globally with the capability to install the XXL monopiles we have chosen for Inch Cape, so we are delighted to have Jan De Nul’s Les Alizés as part of our construction fleet,” said John Hill, project director for Inch Cape Offshore Limited.

“Our installation programme tied in nicely with a gap in the vessel’s planned activity with RWE. We are appreciative of this unique industry collaboration.”