Contracts in offshore wind sector
Published: 23 November, 2017
North East fabrication and engineering powerhouse – Francis Brown – says it is making its mark in the global offshore wind sector following a series of prestigious contract wins.
Based in Stockton on Tees, the company says it has successfully secured contracts with major fabrication specialist BiFab to deliver Boat Landing Access Equipment and global supplier of subsea equipment SMD to Cable Handling Deck Equipment
Most recently Francis Brown was commissioned by Ecosse Subsea Systems to fabricate and install a 700Te carousel which will be used for the storage of spare cables for UK offshore windfarm projects. The company successfully delivered the project in only a matter of 11 weeks.
Francis Brown’s CEO and NOF Energy Board Member, Jamie Brown, strongly believes that the region has an abundance of opportunities to deliver its leading services to the global offshore wind sector with many local businesses, he believes, having the foundations already in place to provide support for recently announced major projects.
“The North East is a hub of engineering and manufacturing excellence and the capabilities we have in the region are phenomenal,” Jamie said. “With impending offshore wind projects, such as Dogger Bank, we need to fly the flag for the region and showcase that we really are a force to be reckoned with.
“With a combination of experience, expertise and access to the latest technologies, right through to skilled workforces and fantastic infrastructure, the region's service providers can certainly facilitate the groundbreaking offshore wind projects that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy in the UK.”
As a crucial part of the energy mix and industrial strategy, offshore wind currently accounts for 5% of the electricity in the UK, with this figure set to double by 2021.
