Vilicom delivers UKs first off-shore Open RAN (oRAN) private network for Vestas in Moray East wind farm

• An all-new cloud-native private network is a first for a UK offshore wind farm –
• It will function as a voice and broadband communications network for up to 500 people, plus hundreds of devices and critical technologies needed during the construction and long-term operation of the new sustainable energy development off the coast of Scotland 

UK-based wireless telecommunications provider, Vilicom, has today announced it is providing a cloud-enabled private mobile network for the Moray East wind farm for Vestas.

Currently in its construction phase 20 miles off the Scottish coast, the Moray East wind farm will comprise of 100 V164-9.5 MW units, giving a combined total power output of 950 MW across its impressive 295km2 plot. The turbines, supplied by Vestas, will generate sufficient power to supply clean energy to approximately one million households across the United Kingdom.

Moray East will bring more low-carbon power to the UK, and will continue to support the local area, bolstering economic growth. It will also make a significant contribution towards the UK’s goal for renewable electricity generation and will aid in achieving the UK’s energy security and carbon reduction objectives.

Vilicom has designed the most advanced and innovative network based on cloud network techniques that combine the reliability of always-on IT systems, with new innovations in the field of Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) and Core Network Function Virtualization.

“The communications network combines the stability and reliability of 4G technology with the innovations available with 5G. This cloud-enabled network delivering a purpose-built network for Moray East, is designed to ensure minimum infrastructure is deployed offshore, is scalable for future mobile technology evolution and supports the current and future communications needs for people and machines working in this remote and sometimes harsh environment.” explains Group Sales Director, Gearoid Collins.

“The private network is designed to suit the specific requirements of Vestas and will be managed 24/7/365 from our onshore network operations centre. For hundreds of workers this site will be their home and office for months at a time. A reliable high bandwidth network simply makes life and work easier. The network will provide essential communications for the lifetime of the site, ultimately aiding the seamless connection of approximately one million homes to renewable, sustainable energy,” adds Collins.

Vestas Head of IT, Service & Operations Antoine Goodwin said: “Vilicom is an innovative network provider that shares our vision of delivering low-carbon energy through offshore wind in UK waters and beyond. Given the complexity and longevity of the Moray East project, we are pleased that Vilicom’s 4G+ technology could be upgraded to 5G in the future, and with their experience in similar large-scale projects, we are confident they will be able to meet the project requirements; from ideation to delivery.”

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