Dubai-based firm to build offshore wind farm in UK

An Emirati company announced a new a wind energy project in the United Kingdom today. 

Dubai-based Lamprell signed a contract with the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland. Per the deal worth more than $200 million, Lamprell will construct wind turbine pieces for Moray’s offshore substations, the company said in press release.

Lamprell’s headquarters are in Dubai. The firm has additional offices in Sharjah and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Lamprell provides construction, design and other services for the renewable and petrochemical energy sectors. 

Why it matters: The contract is the latest example of companies and government entities in the United Arab Emirates pursuing renewable energy and green technology projects. Earlier this week, the Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group contracted a Chinese company to build an electrical vehicle production facility. In August, the UAE sovereign wealth fund-owned renewable energy firm Masdar signed an agreement to develop wind and solar power projects in Tanzania. 

Wind power is slowly growing in the Middle East as well. Egypt is currently working on a major wind-power project in the Gulf of Suez, for example. 

Scotland's autonomous socialist-led government prioritizes renewable energy and could present opportunities for other Gulf-based renewable energy companies. 

Know more: The agreement between Lamprell and Moray follows the United Kingdom launching talks with Gulf states in June toward a free trade agreement.