The UK’s leading marine power and electrical engineering specialist - MJR Power and Automation – has this week announced its support and involvement in the launch of ‘Operation Zero’ with the vision to see zero-emission vessels deployed at North Sea offshore windfarms by 2025.
The initiative, launched by the UK Department for Transport and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, focuses on cleaning up the transport used for the operation and maintenance of offshore energy plants whilst taking into consideration the land-side infrastructure solutions needed to upscale and maintain the operation of the vessels.
Maritime Minister, Robert Courts MP, launched the initiative at COP26 in Glasgow. Founders include a coalition of 28 representatives from across the offshore wind supply chain from the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium, including industry majors Siemens Gamesa, Orsted, RWE, Vattenfall, ScottishPower Renewables, Equinor, ABP, Lloyds Register, Bibby Marine, North Star Renewables and the ORE Catapult.
The scheme is informed by research undertaken by ORE Catapult and the Workboat Association, who have developed a roadmap outlining a route to the decarbonisation of North Sea offshore wind Operation & Maintenance (O&M) vessels. The research suggests that the industry will build as many as 1,400 new vessels between now and 2050 for O&M work alone, including over 300 service offshore vessels (SOVs).
By increasing the pace of decarbonisation, carbon emissions will reduce by 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year compared with a ‘business as usual’ scenario.
Meanwhile, UK and North Sea shipyards could also see work in the development, design, build and operation of these high-value vessels. Capturing 25% of the European O&M vessel-building market could generate revenue of between £2.2 to £4.2 billion for UK firms out to 2050, and support 1,400 direct and 2,5001 indirect jobs, ORE Catapult said.
Speaking about MJR’s involvement in Operation Zero, Paul Cairns, Managing Director at MJR said: “We are delighted to have signed up to and be selected as one of the technology partners of the Operation Zero Government initiative, which demonstrates our absolute commitment to supporting the decarbonization of maritime operations.
“MJR already has a strong track record in driving the industry’s push towards decarbonization and net zero with technical innovations across both the offshore wind and maritime sector. These include our hybrid and energy storage power and propulsion systems for workboats and support vessels, and charging stations for both port side and offshore infrastructures.
“We are delighted to be part of Operation Zero and to continue pushing the transition to net zero operations which is at the heart of our business innovation.”
MJR with over 25 years’ experience in the marine electrical power and automation field is at the forefront of providing solutions to decarbonize the maritime sector.
The business provides complete end to end complex projects from design, engineering and construction to installation, commissioning, and worldwide service from its headquarters in Teesside. MJR are approved UK marine and offshore partners for Siemens, ABB and Danfoss with a number of high-profile, turnkey projects delivered for global leading customers. Its impressive client portfolio includes the likes of, Siemens, Subsea 7, Technipfmc, ABB and Van Oord.
