Balmoral proves its renewables expertise with offshore wind contract

Offshore energy supply chain company, Balmoral, has adapted and transitioned a number of its proven buoyancy and protection solutions for use in the fixed and floating offshore wind sector.

The company provides an extensive range of products to the renewables market backed by a four decade-plus track record in the subsea sector and, with the recent announcements of increased offshore wind activity nationally and internationally, it is finding significant traction for its products around the world.

A recent multi-million pound contract award for a fixed wind cable protection system (CPS) in UK waters has further enhanced the company’s order books and demonstrates customer confidence in Balmoral’s technology, according to sales director, Gary Yeoman.

He said: “While our oil and gas activity remains robust, more than 60% of current enquiries relate to renewables projects while over the past year around 40% of order intake has come directly from the offshore wind sector.

“Proven technologies such as our cable protection systems, distributed buoyancy and tether clamps have been welcomed by the renewables industry and, as such, we are well placed to meet local content criteria for the forthcoming Scotwind and INTOG projects with discussions continuing at pace with developers, installation contractors and cable suppliers.”

These core products have been readily accepted by the wind sector that is keen to build an experienced and reliable supply chain.

Engineering and projects director, Fraser Milne, said: “It is understood that the offshore wind sector is at the early stages of development with many challenges to overcome. We believe our track record of innovation and entrepreneurship positions us well to assist in this process.

“Being able to offer our clients support and advice on their projects including 3D modelling, hydrodynamic engineering and finite element analysis, as well as laboratory and testing services, puts us in a unique position”, Mr Milne said.

“We utilise our 40+ years’ experience in offshore product design and manufacture to ensure our portfolio meets the distinctive demands of offshore renewables. This is supported by a roadmap of new innovations being released with the Balmoral HexDefence® scour protection system being a recent example.

“Offshore wind is currently receiving most attention but our products are designed for the wider sector including wave and tidal current energy.

“Being ‘Fit For Offshore Renewables’ (F4OR) accredited, on top of our ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 certification, instils a high level of confidence in our design, manufacturing and testing capabilities.”

Balmoral is also certified by Bureau Veritas in accordance with API 17L and uses this as a basis for its renewables portfolio. Although this is an oil and gas specification the renewables sector recognises it due to a lack of current standards in the developing market.

The company carries a large bank of patented technologies as Ian Milne, sales manager for the renewable sector, explains: “Our products operate in some of the toughest subsea environments in the world addressing the dynamic challenges of underwater conditions.

“It is our knowledge of these environments that is really adding value to offshore installations and this experience and innovation has seen us recently shortlisted for six industry awards from Scottish Renewables and the Energy Industries Council (EIC).

“We provide solutions from cable entry to floating foundations, all the way from the dynamic cable to touchdown and continuing through the array to the next wind turbine generator.”

The company reports that it has supported projects that are now, or in the process of, generating some 6.7GW of wind power across UK and international waters.

“Combined with industry-leading knowledge, in-house capabilities, experience and scalable manufacturing capacity, we are pleased to be contributing to the ongoing efforts in taking the offshore wind sector to maturity.

“These are exciting times for the industry in the north-east of Scotland and we look forward to discussing our progress during Offshore Europe in Aberdeen at the beginning of September”, concluded Gary Yeoman.

Pic: FibreFlex, Balmoral’s patented cable protection system, under installation in the North Sea