Dry dock resurrected to build floating wind farm

One of the largest dry docks in Europe will come out of retirement to build a floating wind farm in the UK. Kishorn Dry Dock, which hasn’t been used in […]

One of the largest dry docks in Europe will come out of retirement to build a floating wind farm in the UK.

Kishorn Dry Dock, which hasn’t been used in 23 years, will now be used to help build the turbines for Kincardine Offshore’s 50MW development off the coast of Aberdeen.

Work will start at the site in August this year, with installation of the first turbine expected in the second quarter of 2018.

The site was historically an oil and gas fabrication yard, used for the casting platforms weighing hundreds of thousands of tonnes.

When in operation, the floating wind farm will power almost 56,000 households and is expected to prevent 94,500 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide entering the atmosphere every year.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has invested £158,932 of the £450,000 cost of upgrading the dry dock.

Director of the Project for Kincardine Offshore, Carlos Barat, said: “This is a significant development for the people of Kishorn and will directly lead to the creation of up to 200 much-needed jobs in the area.

“Today’s agreement to use Kishorn dry dock will herald a new era for offshore renewables and of course, for this area as the terrific potential this facility offers the country is realised.”

The Scottish Government has given the green light for the floating wind farm project Hywind.

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