This is the first infrastructure to be set up at the site.
The mast measures wind conditions to help optimising the planning and operation of the Telford, Stevenson and MacColl offshore windfarms, for which the Scottish government has agreed to deploy up to 1116 MW for the windfarms earlier this year.
Innovative techniques were used for both the construction and installation of the mast. The work of installation and fabrication of the mast and the related devices was carried out by Drace Infraestructuras, a division of ACS Corporation.
A subcontract was given to Global Energy subsidiary Isleburn which undertook the fabrication of the mast at its Invergordon facility in Easter Ross.
MORL project director Dan Finch said: "This marks a major milestone in project progress. We have benefitted from the use of innovative installation techniques which are driving forward both cost reduction, and improvements in health and safety."
The mast measures 104m in height with a concrete caisson foundation of 32m x 33m x 16 m. It has been placed on a rock berm placed on the floor of the seabed. The mast has been put up on a deck on top of the caisson.
"The involvement of Drace and Global Energy has brought new entrants to the offshore wind supply chain, delivered new investment to the UK and demonstrated new and innovative techniques that can be used in full-scale offshore wind deployment.
"This is the first infrastructure installed on site; success in securing a CfD from DECC in this October’s allocation round is the last major hurdle which the project requires to clear in order to proceed to the Final Investment Decision for construction," Finch added.
Image: The new meteorological mast in the offshore wind zone in outer Moray Firth. Photo: courtesy of Repsol.
