Global Energy Group announce offshore wind tower factory

Scottish energy services company, Global Energy Group, have announced plans to build a £110 million offshore wind tower manufacturing facility at the Port of Nigg in north-east Scotland. Together with specialist manufacturer Haizea Wind Group, the Nigg Offshore Wind (NOW) facility will be the UK’s largest speciality offshore wind tower manufacturing facility. Debt funding has been secured from SSE Renewables, Mainstream Renewable Power, and Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Fund. Funding is also expected from the Scottish government through their Highlands and Islands Enterprise scheme and from the UK government through their Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme.

Global Energy plan to utilize the existing Nigg Skills Academy to help train oil and gas workers with the skills to transition to the new factory. Tim Cornelius, CEO if Global Energy Group, said, “The announcement today of a state-of-the-art tower rolling factory at the Port of Nigg can and will be a leading example of the ‘green recovery’ in action. It will create more than 400 direct long term, high-value jobs, and will offer our existing clients and new customers from around the world with the opportunity to buy ‘Scottish’ – meaning offshore wind developers can achieve their local content targets whilst helping the UK economy recover in a green and sustainable way. The facility will also create more than 1000 indirect jobs in the Scottish and UK supply chain. We are delighted to be partnering with Haizea who will bring their tower manufacturing expertise and knowledge to the Highlands of Scotland.”

The 38,000 m2 and 450 metres long factory will include state-of-the-art robotic welding and inspection technology, and machinery capable of rolling steel towers in excess of 1,000 tonnes. In addition to up to 135 towers per year, the facility will produce transition pieces, tubular structures and suction buckets.

“Haizea is delighted to be partnering with GEG [Global Energy Group] to develop a state-of-the-art tower rolling facility at the Port of Nigg in Scotland.” said, Borja Zarraga, CEO of Haizea. “We are recognised as world leaders in tower rolling technology and the UK is an important market for us to operate in. We know how important local content is for our clients and customers, and I am very confident that when the GEG reputation for manufacturing excellence and the physical location of the Port of Nigg is combined with our experience, client base, track record and know-how, we will together deliver best-in-class, cost competitive towers to the fixed and floating offshore wind market for many years to come.”

Global Energy paid particular attention to the part SSE Renewables and Mainstream Renewable Power played in making the factory a reality. Suggesting other industry players should look to emulate their example. The factory is expected to initially focus on UK wind projects. But Global Energy is also gearing up for overseas demand. Although not ready to announce any current contracts, Tim Cornelius said he was hoping to disclose some large contracts for UK waters in the near future. With the UK Government target of 40 GW offshore capacity by 2030, Global estimate more than 3,000 towers will be needed to meet that target.