Contract award to secure dozens more wind farm jobs
UP TO 35 new jobs could be created in Grimsby, following the latest contract agreed by Triton Knoll offshore wind farm.
Bridlington-based Specialist Marine Consultants (SMC) is the latest company to be awarded a contract by the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm project, which is led by innogy.
The company says this deal will provide much needed experience for new and upcoming talent in the industry and will help SMC grow a workforce for the future – strengthening its expertise and competitiveness in global markets.
Julian Garnsey, project director for Triton Knoll and innogy, said the contract was great for the local area.
He added: “SMC is a competitive company with ambitions for growth in offshore wind, having transitioned from the oil and gas industry into the renewables sector.
“We are very pleased to have their expertise onboard at Triton Knoll and to be supporting their growth and all that brings with it – opportunities for jobs and for investment into the north east coastal region.
“The commitment of Triton Knoll to engage local, competitive businesses is a direct reflection of our desire to help develop the UK supply chain’s capability and encourage the export of UK offshore wind expertise around the world.”
Triton Knoll is a state-of-the-art 857MW offshore wind farm, consisting of 90 of the world’s most powerful turbines, representing a significant investment in new UK energy infrastructure.
Offshore construction is due to start in the first quarter of 2020, during which time SMC will provide marine coordination services.
It will also provide 30 site technicians to maintain the offshore foundations and assets, which includes the statutory inspections and testing requirements for the assets to remain in service and accessible.
In addition to the personnel supply, SMC will be providing, managing and re-certifying specialist offshore Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and will be responsible for Triton Knoll’s inspection requirements for the vessels required to build the wind farm – located 20 miles out in the North Sea.
The offshore activity will take place out of Triton Knoll’s new, multi-million-pound base being constructed in Grimsby, which is already the focal point for recruitment and training both for the project and for SMC.
Captain Ian Coates established SMC in 2006 and it has since grown from a single employee to a business of over 170 people at peak times, with teams now located and leading projects around the world.
He said: “This contract award with Triton Knoll is fantastic – a real milestone for us.
“It is an important step in our ambitions for growth, and means we now have the chance to employ more people from the area.
“Locally, we would hope to create around 35 jobs through the construction period – bringing new people into the sector and hopefully retaining them to work on future projects. We will also be investing in kit from local regional and UK suppliers, as well as using local vessel inspectors.
“Offshore wind offers some great, long-term opportunities for young people, with the chance of jobs for life and fantastic opportunities for progression.
“Contracts like this with Triton Knoll mean we can give new people a taste of offshore life and hopefully develop and integrate them into both our own business and the wider sector.”
Triton Knoll is the largest offshore wind farm currently in construction by innogy and once fully operational will be capable of generating renewable energy equivalent to the needs of over 800,000 typical UK households.
It is owned by innogy (59%), J-Power (25%) and Kansai Electric Power (16%), with innogy managing the construction as well as the long-term operation and maintenance works, on behalf of its project partners.
