BABCOCK has secured a prestigious multi-million pound contract to construct the world’s first reactive compensation station for DONG Energy’s Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm from its facilities in Rosyth.

When operational the development, off the coast of Yorkshire, will have a capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts which will make it the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

The complex project, which will sustain around 100 jobs in procurement, engineering, project management and fabrication, will see Babcock manufacture the five deck station, complete with heli-deck, from its facilities on the banks of the River Forth with support from a specialist local and UK supply chain.    

Babcock Apprentices will also be involved in the project optimising the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineering colleagues and gain hands - on experience during the commercial development programme.

Work to construct the reactive compensation station will start this summer and set to complete in 2018, will draw upon Babcock’s ability to manage large - scale, complex packages and rely on its capacity to provide innovative integrated engineering and manufacturing services to the highest industry standards.

The reactive compensation station is a vital part of transmitting to shore the clean electricity produced by the offshore wind farm, enabling the high voltage AC system to work with cable lengths longer than those previously used for offshore wind. The reactive compensation station will be located between the offshore wind farm and the shore.

Ian Donnelly, managing director of Babcock’s energy and marine business said: “Babcock is delighted to be working with DONG Energy on the construction of the world’s first offshore reactive compensation station here at our facilities in Rosyth.

“Our team’s commitment to engineering excellence and focus on safe and effective delivery for our customers makes Babcock the ideal partner for major projects such as Hornsea Project One.   

“This is a significant development for the UK’s renewables sector and Babcock is delighted to be playing its part in it.”

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman said: "To have a world's first in our Dunfermline and West Fife constituency is a huge boost for the area.

"This is a big development for the Scotland's renewables sector and I'm delighted Babcock is playing a major role in that.

"The complexity and scale involved in creating this station is impressive and is clearly one that the experienced workers at Rosyth are well-equipped for. 

"It yet again demonstrates that the dockyard's workforce is one of the most skilled and efficient in the world. "We already know that because of the brilliant work being done on the carriers, a huge project which is ahead of schedule. 

"This contract means exciting times for local industry in Rosyth and more work until 2018.

"It means jobs in procurement, engineering, project management and fabrication and Babcock should be applauded for making this happen. 

"It also means more apprentices, who will get experience playing a crucial part in creating an innovative clean energy facility, the likes of which the world has not seen before."

The Dong Energy project follows Babcock’s success in securing a contract with E.ON and its partners to deliver a 2500 tonne offshore sub-station topside and jacket for the Rampion offshore wind farm.