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Wind of Change: Orkney Islands Council Seeks Plant Contractors for Onshore Turbine Projects

Orkney Islands Council are seeking contractors to design and build the civil and electrical infrastructure needed for two community wind farms, ahead of turbine installation.

The Quanterness wind farm, located northwest of Kirkwall on Mainland Orkney, and the Faray wind farm, situated on the uninhabited island of Faray in the North Isles, will each feature six wind turbines, rated at approximately 4.8 MW each. Both sites have secured planning consent and grid connection agreements. Quanterness is expected to begin operation in June 2028, with Faray following in May 2030.

Orkney Islands Council is now seeking contractors to carry out the Balance of Plant (BoP) works, which involve designing and building the civil and electrical infrastructure required before turbine installation. These works will include:

• Project and technical management
• Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) coordination
• Provision of site facilities for staff
• Permit control
• Finalising and implementing site design
• Site clearance and excavation
• Construction of access roads and crane pads
• Wind turbine foundations
• Substation building and installation
• Cable ducting, installation, and commissioning
• Maintenance and protection of installed infrastructure during construction
• Final site clearance and removal of equipment
• Completion of snagging and defect resolution

This phase is critical to ensuring the wind farms are ready for turbine installation and future operation. The tender exercise will be split into two lots, one for each wind farm.

If you’re interested, make sure to register your interest and read the information by accessing the notice on Public Contract Scotland.

Deadline for submissions: 27/08/2025 at 12:00

Sail into this opportunity with confidence.

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