Vattenfall to reveal supply chain role in Norfolk projects at virtual conference

Facing the most competitive offshore wind funding auction yet in 2021, Rob Anderson will spell out what his team needs from the supply chain in innovation, collaboration and cost efficiency to build the best business case for the 1.8GW Norfolk Vanguard.

“We need the supply chain beside us to bring the cost of energy down while maximising UK content. This is all about partnership and I will tell them what needs to be done to get these projects -  a combined 3.6GW of installed capacity - across the line.”

Winning consent from the Secretary of State on July 1 was just the end of the first leg of a long journey of challenges and obstacles, he will tell delegates at the virtual Southern North Sea conference and exhibition.

“People celebrated our consent in July as if the project was in the bag. It’s great to have such support, but we are far from there. Key is the expertise, flexibility and vision of the supply chain.”

"With no timeline for next year’s Contract for Difference (CD) auction was making planning its bid problematic," he said.

In his presentation, Consent, challenge and collaboration: Competition for CfD and beyond – What’s next for Vattenfall’s Norfolk Projects he will outline how the lack of clarity on timing had been compounded by delays for the Norfolk Vanguard decision, the planning process for Norfolk Boreas, and Covid-19.

“We need the supply chain thinking and working with us for the best outcome in these most challenging of times. These projects are a partnership. We have always said we will involve all of the local supply chain as much as we can in the development of these projects and have been working with hundreds of local businesses.”

“Timing is key now and I will share the timeline with delegates at SNS2020,” he said.

Vattenfall is already active and out to tender for turbines, converters and cables.

“We are working with Tier 1s making sure we have good partnerships and they will engage with the local chain for local content.”

Tenders for onshore work packages and ports have also been issued and Mr Anderson’s team is working on developing engineering and technical solutions for CfD.

“These projects are of a size and a scale that they will be the largest offshore wind projects in the world, and these are extraordinarily challenging times, with the coronavirus and its impact on people, power prices and the financial impact on the supply chain. These are real challenges now.”

“Opportunities for the supply chain are massive.”

Businesses will also be able to meet Vattenfall supply chain manager Rob Lilly at one-to-one virtual meetings at SNS2020.

Mr Anderson will address the supply chain on the second day of the conference on September 17.

To book, visit: https://www.eeegr.com/events/sns2020/