THE ORMONDE PROJECT

The Ormonde Project is a global first, integrating gas-fired power generation from end-of-life or ‘fallow’ gas fields utilised as a commercial catalyst in order to develop and generate renewable energy from an offshore wind power generation scheme. The company business model utilises discovered undeveloped gas fields relinquished by, or acquired from other operators. The concept does not necessitate a Government capital grant and is commercially feasible and independent of such incentives.

The Ormonde Project demonstrates improved economics and investment returns through:

• Diversification of income and cash-flow from two sources of power with no exposure to the volatility of natural gas prices 
• Co-development of diversified power generation schemes resulting in lower operating costs through shared and co-developed infrastructure
• Access to premium revenue from the ROC regime (Renewable Obligation Certificate) for wind power and potential for peaking gas power generation 

Eclipse Energy Company Limited is a new British independent energy company that recognises sustainability as a key issue for the future of the UK's offshore energy industry in the 21st Century. The award of the gas licence in 2001 was an important first step for the Company toward it's objective of producing energy from both conventional and renewable resources.

The Crown Estate has granted a Lease for a thirty-turbine wind concession on 'Round One' terms. The development is to be carried out under the auspices of a special purpose company, Ormonde Energy Limited.

Our preferred option is to develop a unique, offshore co-development scheme whereby power would be generated from two small gas fields, Ormonde North and Ormonde South and from an adjacent offshore wind farm, with the electricity exported by cable to the National Grid.

Our scheme will generate electricity from the wind turbines but during calm weather conditions or periods of wind turbine shutdown, electricity can still be generated from the gas reserves through an offshore generator platform so as to provide flexible output of electricity to meet the needs of National Grid. This scheme could generate enough electricity to power over 155,0001,2 homes, 71,0001 of which would be powered by renewable energy.

• Offshore Power Generation Project of
  circa. 200 MW
• Fuelled by gas reserves and wind generation
• Energy Export via cable inter-connector
• Project life - 25 years minimum 
• Total Capital expenditure £280m

1 Based on an average household consumption of 4700kW hours, as reported by the digest of UK energy statistics 2002

2 Dependent on the way in which the gas turbines are operated

Local Benefits
The region has considerable resources, facilities and expertise in the engineering, design and construction business, which are attractive to developers. Over the next year the project team will be looking at opportunities to use local facilities and personnel. During the construction phase several hundred jobs will be created in the area and throughout the operational phase a number of long-term jobs will be created at the control and operations centre. If a maintenance base were to be established in the area then additional long-term jobs could be created.