In a world’s first, Siemens Energy is connecting three Offshore Transformer Modules® (OTM®), its range of AC offshore substation platforms, and will transmit the power generated from the 950MW Moray East Offshore Windfarm project, located 22km off the Aberdeenshire coast in Scotland.
On June 30, 2020, the first OTM began its journey from the fabricator to be installed at the offshore windfarm. The remaining two will sail out in the following months when commissioning will take place.
The OTM, which are significantly smaller in size and weight compared to conventional alternating current platforms, will transform the output of the wind turbines from 66 kilovolts to the transmission voltage of 220kV.
In 2018 Siemens Energy secured the contract to connect the wind farm to the grid and until today Moray East Offshore Windfarm represents the company’s largest UK grid access project.
The scope of supply includes the complete onshore substation including three SVC PLUS (STATCOM) as well as the three offshore substation platform topsides. In addition, Siemens Energy will install a 35km underground export cable to the onshore substation at New Deer in Aberdeenshire for the power generated.
The windfarm will be capable of providing low cost, low carbon power to approximately one million Scottish homes, making a significant contribution to meeting net zero ambitions.
Siemens Energy is a market leader in connecting offshore wind to the grid, with 6.5 gigawatts (GW) connected to date and a further 4.5GW under construction. Using its state-of-the art OTM technology the company continues to innovate and find ways to drive down costs for developers worldwide while meeting the energy demands of the future.