THE partners behind the pioneering European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre also known as Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, have revealed the first of the key suppliers for the project, representing a major step forward for the 11-turbine scheme off Aberdeen Bay.

Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Limited – the company behind the project – named the three tier-one preferred suppliers – MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, J Murphy & Sons Limited (Murphy) and Boskalis.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has been nominated to supply the V164-8.0 MW turbines while Boskalis is the preferred offshore balance of plant contractor for the construction and installation of the offshore infrastructure including the foundations and cabling.

Engineering and infrastructure specialist Murphy has been named as preferred bidder to provide the onshore substation and associated cabling work.

Vattenfall and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group – the partners behind AOWF – said the appointments keep the scheme on schedule ahead of an investment decision later this year and for operations to start in 2018.

Earlier this year, preparatory offshore works started off Aberdeen Bay, reaffirming the project partners’ commitment to seeing the much-needed industry scheme come to fruition.