ABERDEEN-based Sparrows Group yesterday signed a contract to supply 103 cranes for installation at ScottishPower Renewables’ 714 megawatt East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm.
Located off the coast of Suffolk, the wind farm will be capable of producing enough electricity to power around 500,000 homes and is anticipated to generate power for the first time in 2019 – and to be fully-operational a year later.
All the offshore wind turbine cranes will be designed and manufactured at Sparrows facilities in Aberdeen for Granada Material Handling on behalf of ScottishPower Renewables. A crane will be installed on each of the farm’s 102 wind turbines, with a further crane used for training purposes.
The sizeable award marks Sparrows biggest renewables contract to date and establishes their position as an engineering and services provider in the sector. The crane are designed for use on offshore wind turbine platforms, with 99 per cent of their parts procured in the UK. Delivery scheduled for the middle of next year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Sparrows is using expertise developed in the oil and gas sector and transferring it to other energy and manufacturing sectors. Securing this major contract is a significant milestone for the company.
“My Government will continue to support the recovery of North Sea oil and gas. At the same time, we will seek to encourage the industry to play a positive role in the low carbon transition.”
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