Photo: Freepik
Solar equipment provider JCE Energy and offshore engineering firm Aquaterra Energy have successfully delivered a fully solar-powered, autonomous offshore platform for a supermajor’s Sea Swift production facility off the coast of Angola.
The USD 2 million unmanned structure, built for efficiency, sustainability, and minimal environmental impact, is reportedly the first autonomous offshore platform in the African country to operate entirely without relying on traditional fuel sources.
Developed by Scotland-based JCE Energy, the modular power system features over 100 offshore-grade solar panels, engineered to resist saltwater corrosion and endure harsh marine conditions.
With zero emissions from power generation and more than 1.2 million hours of local content, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable offshore energy in West Africa, reinforcing the region’s commitment to the global energy transition.
Setting new standards
Stewart Maxwell, Aquaterra Energy technical director highlighted that the platform’s scalable design allows for future upgrades without requiring major redesigns or disrupting ongoing operations.
The solar energy system, developed under a contract with Aquaterra Energy, an offshore engineering provider headquartered in England, ensures energy reliability even in low-sunlight conditions through advanced storage capabilities.”
“Sea Swift is our flagship platform offering for offshore energy operators,” Maxwell said. “Designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry, it offers a flexible, intelligent platform solution that can be tailored to projects right across the offshore energy space, from oil and gas and carbon capture and storage (CCS), through to hydrogen generation and wind.”
Maxwell further underscored the importance of sustainable power in offshore infrastructure, noting that as operators seek to lower their carbon footprint while controlling platform costs, Sea Swift has been future-proofed by rethinking traditional topside power systems.
“With JCE Energy’s support, we successfully delivered a 100 percent autonomously-powered platform using solar energy, eliminating the need for traditional fuel sources,” he continued.
JCE Energy’s contribution spanned from design and manufacturing to final assembly, with approximately 90 percent of the system completed at its Aberdeen headquarters. Additional fabrication was carried out in Plymouth, with over 50 personnel involved in the delivery, among which engineers, project managers, electrical fitters, and mechanical specialists.
Shaping the future of offshore energy
The offshore engineering company claimed that the environmental and economic benefits of the platform are considerable. The integration of solar power is expected to reduce reliance on diesel generators and cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 90 percent.
Designed for 249-foot water depths and fully fabricated in-country, the platform showcases innovations in power management, streamlined topside design, and single-lift installation. Its operating costs are projected to drop by around USD 7.9 million (GBP 5.9 million) over three decades.
“Our solar power package for the project stands as a testament to the evolving energy sector’s potential to balance operational needs with environmental and social responsibilities,” Marco Gheza, JCE Energy general manager said.
“This project not only demonstrates our engineering expertise but also reinforces our commitment to helping the energy sector transition to more sustainable practices,” Gheza concluded.
Aimed at maximizing returns and unlocking marginal fields, Sea Swift is engineered to enhance existing oil and gas projects and make once-unrealistic projects viable. It offers a low-risk, cost-effective path to first oil or gas while cutting carbon intensity.
Source: msn
