– Sparrows invites Colin Clark MP to see East Anglia ONE project –
Cranes currently being manufactured by Sparrows Group, which will be installed at ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia ONE windfarm off the coast of Suffolk, were showcased today (Friday 13 April) to Colin Clark MP at the company’s headquarters in Aberdeen.
The firm is supplying 102 of its WindMaster cranes for each of the offshore development’s turbines, which once built and operational, will provide enough clean energy to power the equivalent of almost 500,000 homes in the UK.
Sparrows is currently the only company in the UK with the capability to design and manufacture luffing cranes suitable for the offshore wind industry.
MP Colin Clark visited the firm’s facilities which are based in his Gordon constituency in Aberdeen. The company’s workshop has recently been reconfigured to meet its growing number of work scopes in the renewable sector.
Mr Clark was given a tour through the workshop while the fabrication process of Sparrows’ specially designed WindMaster cranes was explained and demonstrated.
The WindMaster range was launched in 2016 to provide a solution to offshore wind farm developers that require luffing cranes for use in deeper waters.
Stewart Mitchell, chief executive officer of Sparrows said: “Sparrows Group has become a key player in the UK renewable industry over the last 24 months, following strategic diversification which is now paying dividends for the business.
“This project showcases the capabilities we have here in the UK. At least 95% of our crane parts come from across the UK and we are building them here in Aberdeen.”
Mr Clark commented: “The UK offshore wind sector is continuing to grow at pace and it is vital that we look to secure Aberdeen’s reputation as a global skills hub. There is a vast range of capabilities in the North East, thanks to the oil and gas industry, which can be utilised for wind energy developments in the UK.
“It was fascinating to get an insight into the full manufacturing process at Sparrows facility today and understand how its WindMaster cranes are supporting the UK offshore wind industry.”
Final delivery of all 102 cranes is due to be completed this year.
The Sparrows Group is a global provider of specialist equipment and integrated engineering services to the energy and industrial industries. The firm supports customers by delivering a broad range of expert solutions that optimise efficiency and ensure the performance, reliability and safety of critical equipment and people.
