The new facility will support the 882MW Moray West Offshore windfarm due to come online next year as a sister project to the operational Moray East Offshore Windfarm, almost doubling Ocean Winds’ offshore wind generation capacity in the Moray Firth to 1800MW.

The Banffshire and Buchan coast is Ocean Winds’ operations and maintenance hub for its Scottish turbines, and the company is expanding its onshore sites from which the work to generate power offshore is scheduled, planned and undertaken.

Following on from Moray East’s O&M base which opened in Fraserburgh in 2021, the new Buckie facility will strategically extend the company’s footprint along the Banff and Buchan coast.

This will more than double the offshore generation capacity the firm can operate and maintain, while increasing operational diversity and integrating offshore wind as an entrenched and high-skill part of the North East coastal economy.

Andy McNair, pre-construction director at CHAP Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with Ocean Winds on this ground-breaking project. This O&M Base will not only support the maintenance and operation of the Ocean Winds wind farms but will also create significant employment opportunities for local residents.

“CHAP’s construction team have been appointed early in the design process so we can work alongside the Client and Design Team to provide an efficient and comprehensive build solution. This type of early engagement is becoming increasingly popular due to the increased cost of construction as it provides opportunities to improve budget, programme and buildability at an early stage.”

The new O&M base will feature cutting-edge technology, including a fully equipped workshop and warehouse, as well as office and training facilities. This will enable Ocean Winds to efficiently manage and maintain the wind farms, ensuring that they run smoothly and continues to provide reliable clean energy for years to come.

Jamie Dempster, operations and maintenance manager for Moray West at Ocean Winds, said: “We are excited to have reached this milestone and be working with CHAP Group on this important project.

“The O&M base is a crucial component of the wind farms. We are confident that with CHAP Group’s expertise in construction and project management, we can deliver a world-class facility that will support the local community and continue to push boundaries in the renewable energy industry as we ramp up to the operational phase of Moray West and create an O+M hub in the Moray Firth.”

Construction on the O&M base will commence soon, with completion scheduled for 2024.