SENSEWind and Forsyths have agreed to terms on a manufacturing contract to produce an industry-first carriage system in support of the 2MW demonstration project scheduled for installation in early 2025.
The new partnership, announced at the All Energy Exhibition and Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, will commence work immediately as plans accelerate toward construction.
The 2MW demonstrator will feature a Vestas V80 turbine and will be installed at Muirhall Energy’s Tormywheel wind farm and plans to generate power early next year. The project is partially funded by a grant from UK Government’s DESNZ, recognising the important technological step towards scaled-up versions being used for 6MW onshore tall towers and 15MW+ versions in floating offshore wind projects.
The technology is a game-changing solution that looks to solve a host of problems surrounding installation, maintenance and logistics currently faced by floating wind projects, including those in ScotWind. It will deliver up to 12% reduction in LCoE largely through reducing reliance on quayside ring cranes and offshore floating cranes for installation and major component swap out.
SENSEWind Chair Julian Brown welcomed the news: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Forsyths. Their impressive capability and quick grasp of the manufacturing challenge for the SENSEWind carriage, along with their commitment to the transition to renewables makes them an obvious partner. We look forward to that defining moment next year when the carriage, made by Forsyths, will install the 2MW turbine at the Tormywheel site.”
Forsyths Managing Director Richard E Forsyth, said: “Forsyths has been offered and accepted this opportunity to collaborate with SENSEWind, solidifying their position as fabrication innovation leaders in the renewables ecosystem. The partnership is a natural outcome of Forsyths’ groundbreaking efforts in fostering collaborative innovation within the dynamic renewables environment. This award is a reflection of our dedication to pioneering a platform where effective collaboration between businesses and innovators becomes the norm. We aim to continue transforming the innovation landscape, making it more accessible and fruitful for businesses worldwide.”
With the Forsyths deal now in place, SENSEWind continues to field conversations with leading wind turbine OEMs and floating wind developers, all keen to see the technology brought to market.