Moray FLOW-Park

Developed by OSG, and recognised as a global industry first, the Moray FLOW-Park aims to provide temporary safe anchorage (wet storage), for FLOW assets – namely the foundation base units – thus optimising risk management and logistics during the assembly, wind turbine generation (WTG) integration and deployment process.

The Moray Firth was selected as the UK’s first FLOW-Park location after an extensive 3-year process of surveys, technical assessments and industry interaction, including with the Scottish Government, industry regulators, ports and wind farm developers.

The Exclusivity Agreement provides a framework to allow OSG and its Scottish-registered subsidiary, FLOW-Park Investment Ltd, to continue to assess the long-term suitability of the location and progress the development of the proposed FLOW-Park.

An independent study on the long-term value of a FLOW-Park has indicated a GVA of c. £126m and proposed support of over 1,200 jobs over the development lifespan. This has the potential to deliver as much of this value locally with service and supply chain partners alongside our own long-term support base located in a local port.

An active programme of engagement with local service/supply chain partners and additional potential partners has started, and will increase as the technical specifications of the development are confirmed. Indications of upcoming programmes of works will be highlighted at the earliest opportunity to allow local companies to engage fully and proactively contribute to the successful delivery of this innovative development.

The Moray FLOW-Park is a local development that is fully committed to maximising long-term local value and ensuring that Scottish communities receive tangible benefits from the floating wind opportunity off Scotland’s coastline.

The area covered by the Exclusivity Agreement for the Moray FLOW-Park is split into two separate zones, designated as ‘North’ and ‘South’. Over the course of the next few years a series of detailed technical studies and surveys, including offshore surveys, will be undertaken to determine the final extent of the FLOW-Park area and the technical details of the development.

In parallel with the technical studies and surveys, there will also be a series of necessary environmental studies and a programme of detailed stakeholder and consultee engagement.

In combination, these ensure that the final layout, equipment design and operational plans are fully compliant with all required legislative permits and permissions.

Whilst the full extent of the area of exclusivity needs to be assessed and surveyed, the Moray FLOW-Park will be developed in phases and correlated to demand. This reflects the embryonic nature of the floating wind sector in Scotland. As the local ports and yards increase their floating wind assembly and integration activities, then more of the FLOW-Park will be developed.

The Moray FLOW-Park is designed to provide temporary safe anchorage for floating wind assets to enhance the assembly and integration process efficiency and de-risk the associated logistics that are impacted by weather and metocean conditions.

The number of assets on location at any one time will be determined by several factors, including the number of floating wind projects under assembly and integration in local ports/yards, available space in local ports/yards, the availability of tugs to move assets, and the prevailing weather and metocean conditions.

Expected use of the FLOW-Park is during the autumn, winter and early spring when the offshore weather and metocean conditions prevent the offshore installation of floating assets. When these conditions moderate to safe levels then the subsequent towage and installation activities will occur. FLOW-Park numbers will then reduce with the objective of an empty FLOW-Park during the summer season.

A unique and advanced Management and Control System (M&CS), has been developed specifically for FLOW-Parks, and this will be deployed in the Moray FLOW-Park. The M&CS consists of several key elements including self-powered safety and security buoys fitted with an advanced sensor and communications suite. Specialist FLOW-Monitors will be fitted to each asset when parked, and a 24/7/365 manned local control centre will be in place. The M&CS works in close conjunction with local harbour masters, pilots, coastguard and regulatory bodies to provide enhanced safety and security for the floating assets, local users of the sea (commercial and leisure), and the wider environment.

The M&CS has been specifically designed to maximise safety and security, minimising risk to all parties and stakeholders, whilst reducing the direct impact of the FLOW-Park to other users of the sea.