A Fife firm has won a multi-million-pound order for the hoist it designed to make it easier for people to access the giant turbines used on offshore windfarms.
Pict Offshore will supply its Get Up Safe system to windfarm developer Orsted for use on the giant Hornsea Two windfarm. Orsted expects the windfarm to become the world’s largest offshore windfarm on completion in 2022.
It plans to install Get Up Safe hoist systems on all 165 turbines on Hornsea Two.
The order provides a huge vote of confidence in the technology developed by Pict, which has achieved rapid growth amid the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Led by climbing enthusiast Philip Taylor, Pict has doubled employee numbers in Inverkeithing this year to around 30.
READ MORE: Can green energy revolution create enough jobs to make up for Scottish oil decline?
The Get Up Safe system is designed to tackle major operational challenges faced by firms that develop and operate windfarms.
To complete work on windfarms, companies must find a way of getting employees on to the structures in potentially rough conditions.
Standard methods include using a ladder or gangway to move from a boat onto the structure, or helicopter transfers.
There are potential drawbacks to using all these offshore.
The Get Up Safe hoist is attached to the turbine itself and features motion compensation technology. Orsted noted the hoist can be used to lift workers up directly from boats. It removes the need for ladders and boat landings altogether.
Duncan Clark, head of UK operations for the Danish firm, described the hoist as a pioneering example of how new technology is helping to ensure the wellbeing of its technicians and project teams.
He said: “Innovation continues to be a key driver behind the success of offshore wind and the UK is leading the way through engineering innovators like Pict Offshore.”
Mr Taylor noted that other offshore wind developers are taking a strong interest in the GUS system.
The Hornsea Two contract underlines the potential importance of the contribution that a relatively small Scottish business is making to the emerging windfarm industry, with Orsted’s backing.
Pict has drawn on advances made by the Limpet Technology venture, whose working at height system was originally developed by Mr Taylor’s father as a rope management system for rock climbing indoors.
Pict developed the GUS system with support from Scottish Enterprise and collaboration from Strathclyde university.
Orsted took a minority stake in Pict Offshore with the rest held by shareholders in Limpet.
The success of the venture will encourage hopes that the drive to reduce carbon emissions could help fuel a "green" economic recovery in Scotland.
Head of low carbon transition at Scottish Enterprise, Andy McDonald, said the use of GUS on Hornsea Two would highlight Scottish innovation on an international scale.
Oil and gas industry leaders have said expertise developed by firms operating in the North Sea could be used to help maximise the potential to harness the winds off Scotland to generate huge amounts of energy.
READ MORE: North Sea output to fall to 'nearly nothing' by 2050 warn experts
However, the development of windfarms featuring turbines based on platforms fixed to the seabed has not provided the boost to industrial activity hoped for.
Turbines for windfarms that are being developed off Scotland are being manufactured elsewhere.
In June, it emerged that the 114 turbines for the Seagreen windfarm SSE and Total plan to develop off the Angus coast will be made on the Isle of Wight.
Experts at the Wood Mackenzie energy consultancy have said Scotland has an opportunity to become a global leader in the emerging floating windfarm sector.
READ MORE: Floating windfarms could power North Sea resurgence if Government provides right support
The world’s first floating windfarm was developed off Peterhead by Equinor.
Hornsea Two will be developed around 55 miles off the Yorkshire coast. The windfarm is expected to produce enough electricity to power 1.3 million homes.
Orsted developed out of the Dong Energy oil and gas business.
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