Aventus Energy, a specialist inspection, repair and maintenance solutions provider for the marine energy industries, has been awarded a major contract by Inch Cape Offshore for the delivery of foundation completion activities on its 1.1 gigawatt offshore wind farm off the Angus coast. The contract, which represents Aventus’ single biggest individual contract to date – with value running into the multiple millions – will be delivered at Edinburgh’s Port of Leith in collaboration with fellow Global group companies Global Port Services and Global Crane Services, and port owner – Forth Ports.
Having recently commenced, the year-long scope of works will see Aventus Energy receive and inspect the Inch Cape wind farm monopiles, transition pieces and jacket foundations as they arrive into port before executing a number of critical activities to ensure the components are ready for offshore installation and operational readiness. The contract also involves project management including planning, documentation, survey, quality and technical verification.
Aventus’ largest single project has involved the deployment of a combined team of more than 70 personnel, drawing on existing staff from its Highland headquarters while also employing individuals from within the project catchment area for the duration of the works, creating new skilled roles within the company.
Speaking about the project, Aventus Energy Managing Director, Ross Thomson, commented:
“We’re delighted to be delivering this key renewable energy infrastructure project for Inch Cape at the Port of Leith. Working with group companies Global Port Services and Global Crane Services – and Forth Ports – our multi-disciplinary team is providing the client with a full-service package that will see us carry out surveys upon receipt of the assets, and execution of vital scopes required to ensure their offshore readiness before load out.
“The securing of this major renewable infrastructure project is a key achievement for Aventus Energy and another great opportunity to showcase the capabilities we have within the company but also across the Global group. The award of such a vital contract supporting Scotland’s energy transition is a real endorsement of our ability to deliver safe, high-quality projects not just at our base in the Cromarty Firth Freeport but, beyond, throughout the UK and Europe.
“We’re pleased to again be working alongside long term partner, Forth Ports – who own the Port of Leith,” adds Thomson. “Their support is invaluable in helping our multi-disciplinary team deliver projects of this scale, providing key plant and access personnel to help facilitate the project.”
Callum Hogan, Asset Manager for Forth Projects, part of Forth Ports said:
“It is great to collaborate with Aventus and Global at the Leith Renewables Hub for the Inch Cape project. We are playing a pivotal role in the deployment of foundations in Leith now and, later this year in our port in Dundee, the turbines. Forth Ports has privately invested across our people, infrastructure and equipment for this important project.”
Aventus has also recently delivered its specialist inspection, repair and maintenance solutions on marine energy projects across Europe, Africa and South America.
With 85% of its turnover coming from the renewable energy sector, Aventus Energy has established itself as a trusted partner of choice for specialist inspection, repair and maintenance solutions. This has been further bolstered by the clinching of a 5-year framework contract with Saipem for work scopes on a major North Sea wind farm. In March, Aventus will also mobilise to help deliver an offshore substation hook up in the North Sea cluster, Germany, for client Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
“Our growing presence in the renewables sector aligns strongly with our commitment to support global clean energy ambitions,” adds Thomson. “Going forward, as part of Global – which is the UK’s leading energy and infrastructure solutions provider – we anticipate exploring the many synergies existing and opportunities that will arise between ourselves and other group companies.”
Gordon Farmer, Board Director at Global, comments:
“The Inch Cape project is another example of Global bringing group expertise together to support the energy transition and is a great endorsement of our ability to deliver and support offshore wind projects at scale across the UK and Ireland. Our multi-disciplinary teams are highly mobile and experienced in delivering projects from a range of ports, evidenced by previous collaboration with Forth Ports (through Aventus Energy) as well as fellow group company, Global Wind Projects, which delivered pre-assembly of 54 wind turbine towers, providing craneage from Global Crane Services’ 64 strong crane fleet, installation personnel, and ground transport for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm at the Port of Dundee.”