Harland and Wolff has been awarded a multi-million contract to build two offshore substations for Siemens.

The contract was awarded by the electronics and electrical engineering firm for the Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm off the coast of North Wales.

The substations are due to be completed by June 2012.

Commenting on the project, Robert J Cooper, Chief Executive of Harland and Wolff, said that he was happy that they had secured the project and said that up to 40 new jobs could be created as a result. He said: "We are already a recognised renewables logistics base and prototype builder and are delighted to have been awarded this contract. It clearly demonstrates our continuing development as part of the UK supply chain for marine renewable energy. Our project goals are to make the design and build process frictionless for Siemens and to ultimately provide the operator, RWE Innogy, with a robust and durable platform, built safely, on time and to budget."


Mr Cooper added that a "considerable number" of these platforms were required in order to meet the Government's 2020 targets, which would give "substantial opportunities" in the near future.

The Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm is a 576MW, 160 turbine UK Round 2 wind farm being developed by a consortium of RWE Innogy, SWM Municipal Utility Munich, Germany and Siemens 13km off the coast of North Wales.

Siemens will supply the wind turbines which will be connected via 33kV array cables to two new offshore substations. Onboard the H&W built platforms Siemens' equipment will transform the power from 33kV up to 132kV for transmission back to a new onshore substation at St Asaph also to be built by Siemens.

John Wilcock, Director of Major Projects for Siemens Transmission and Distribution said: "Siemens is delighted to make this award to Harland and Wolff. This is a key project for Siemens, as one of the largest of its type ever developed. The H&W team impressed us by their approach to the project and understanding of our requirement. This is a new relationship for both companies and one that could be fruitful in the future. It is great also to be able to support a UK-based firm."

H&W, having decades of experience in offshore and marine projects for the oil, gas and shipbuilding industries, has designed the platform using stiffened panels typical of shipbuilding and offshore structures.

This approach offers cost and weight savings, increased watertight integrity, structural flexibility and opens opportunities for floating, self-installing projects in the future.

(KMcA/GK)