Offshore wind power: a new future rising from the sea

The vessels in Wick Harbour still head out to sea to earn their living, although some of today’s crews are pursuing something rather different from herring. After telling guests about the fishing boom that once brought extraordinary activity to this harbour, I turn the Land Rover around and there are the boats serving the offshore wind industry. We have barely finished discussing the loss of fishing employment before another opportunity comes into view. There is still work to be found out at sea, and these vessels give us something more encouraging to discuss rather than how busy the harbour used to be.

Along the east coast, the turbines appear to stretch across the water in one enormous array. The 'Beatrice Windfarm' machines stand more than 600 feet tall, almost twice the height of those inland at Causeymire, south of Thurso, yet we can see them clearly from around eight miles away. Together, the three operational developments could generate roughly the annual household electricity needs of 2.5 million homes, allowing for changing winds. Their contribution reaches far beyond the communities looking out at the blades, while keeping them working requires people, vessels and a harbour from which they can operate, giving Wick a continuing role once construction is finished.

There is a pleasing connection with the harbour’s past because Beatrice’s operations base occupies two restored Telford buildings, giving them another working life beside the water. Elsewhere in the Highlands, facilities developed for oil and gas are finding opportunities in offshore wind. Nigg has handled turbine components for installation, while Kishorn’s great dry dock on the west coast is being expanded to support floating wind. Skills, sheltered water and substantial quays remain valuable, even when the machinery passing through changes. The benefits can reach communities a long way from where the turbines eventually stand. I find that a hopeful story to tell beside a harbour where we have just been discussing boom and bust.

Herring, oil and now wind have each given the North something valuable to contribute, and another reason for people to make their lives here. Nobody can promise permanent prosperity, but those vessels give us something practical to look towards. In the audio blogcast, we follow the work from Wick to Nigg and Kishorn, discovering how the North’s earlier maritime industries have helped prepare it for another future rising from the sea.

To learn more, listen to the blogcast or book one of our North Coast Explorer tours.