Aggreko: Power Supply Issues Hitting Offshore Wind Builds

The construction sector faces substantial hurdles in meeting offshore wind farm build targets due to power supply chain limitations, according to energy solutions provider Aggreko.

Construction teams require significant temporary power for cable laying operations and to support heavy lifting vessels during offshore wind farm development.

Project managers encounter transport and logistics difficulties when accessing power supplies, with equipment turnaround time creating additional delays.

Energy solutions specialist Aggreko, which provides temporary power and temperature control services, conducted a study of 855 offshore wind professionals across Europe to identify key barriers.

Their research, titled 'Race to Renewables', found 39% of respondents cite lack of temporary power solutions as the primary obstacle to construction progress.

Global consultancy McKinsey, which advises businesses on strategic management, predicts installed offshore wind capacity will increase from 40 gigawatts in 2020 to 630 gigawatts by 2050.

Construction wrestles with power access issues

An equal percentage of survey participants highlight transport and logistics challenges as a critical factor impeding access to necessary power supplies during construction.

Equipment turnaround time creates bottlenecks for 34% of respondents, further complicating the construction timeline.

Michel Maaskant, Sector Sales Specialist for Offshore Renewables at Aggreko, says: "There are barriers that could cause issues if they're not tackled."

The integration of environmentally-friendly technologies presents an additional challenge for construction teams.

Project managers express growing interest in reducing emissions during the development phase.

Construction firms must address both power access and environmental concerns to meet project timelines.

Skills shortage impacts offshore wind construction targets

The Offshore Wind Industry Council, an industry body representing offshore wind developers and supply chain companies, forecasts the UK requires 70,000 additional workers by 2030.

Technical knowledge gaps surrounding new technologies impede uptake, with 41% of survey respondents acknowledging lack of experience.

Construction companies face difficulties recruiting qualified personnel for specialised offshore wind roles.

Aggreko framework aims to support construction transition

Europe plans to invest over £4.3 billion in the wind industry for advance payments and performance guarantees on new projects.

Aggreko's sustainability framework, called Energising Change, focuses on developing renewable infrastructure including grid capacity and wind farm commissioning.

The framework aims to provide construction firms with guidance on sustainable energy solutions during development.

Michel Maaskant adds: "Strategic partnerships between energy solutions providers and offshore wind companies will help develop sustainable supply chains and reliable energy provision."