14th February 2023 in Construction, Press releases, Supply Chain
Edda Wind has launched a daughter craft crew transfer vessel (CTV) for use on Dogger Bank Wind Farm designed by UK-based industry pioneers Chartwell Marine.
The innovative new vessel has been built by Alicat Workboats Ltd and was named Boreas Worker. It was built on behalf of Astilleros Gondan SA before entering service for operator Edda Wind, as part of the firm’s contract during commissioning and construction of the first phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The 12-metre CTV, which will work in conjunction with Edda Wind’s fleet of hydrogen-ready commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs), is the first of a new catamaran daughter craft design to be commissioned.
The Chartwell daughter craft responds to the need in the offshore wind support market for low-emissions, cost-effective vessels, with the catamaran’s optimised hull form offering efficient fuel use as well as stability and manoeuvrability in choppy waters.
Boreas Worker has a capacity of 12 personnel and is designed to be conveniently deployed from CSOVs and ‘floatels’ during extended offshore stays, offering wind farm technicians comfortable and efficient access to turbines, vessels, and other critical project infrastructure.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn, is set to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The three phases of the project, known as A, B, and C, will provide an overall total capacity of 3.6GW, capable of powering 6 million homes.
Boreas Worker will form a versatile addition to Edda Wind’s fleet as it supports Phase A of construction this spring.
Andy Page, Director of Chartwell Marine, said:
“The Daughter Craft fulfils a key role in a modern support vessel fleet – giving vessel operators a way to safely transfer engineers from rest-space to work-space while out at sea for longer periods of time, ultimately streamlining the processes of turbine commissioning and maintenance.
“We’re excited to be able to contribute our design expertise to an offshore energy project of this scale, and especially one off our own shores. We’d like to thank our partners at Edda Wind for choosing us to help get Dogger Bank built.”
Kenneth Walland, CEO of Edda Wind, said:
“Daughter craft workboats give more flexibility to our offshore wind operations in addition to the CSOV — and we need to ensure that we set the same standards of technical availability, efficiency, and performance across every vessel in our fleet. Chartwell’s proven track record bringing innovative small vessel designs into operation made them a clear choice of partner for this project. We are therefore pleased to launch the Boreas Worker, joining the Edda Boreas in supporting the construction of Dogger Bank.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Commercial Director, Simon Bailey, said:
“The UK-designed Boreas Worker vessel will be a welcome addition to our construction and commissioning fleet, providing safe and efficient transfers for our team as we install our first turbines this year.”
21st November 2022 in Construction, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- Cranes will support staging of 277 sets of blades, nacelles, and towers at Able Seaton Port
- Contract will create approximately 30 roles at Thornaby-based lifting specialist
- 30 new jobs are part of approximately 470 previously announced in relation to GE contracts in north-east of England
GE Renewable Energy has selected Mammoet UK, based in Thornaby Teesside, to supply onshore heavy lifting and transport for the staging and installation of turbines for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The contract will account for about 30 of the previously-announced approximately 470 roles to be created across the north-east of England by GE in relation to the construction and operation of the wind farm.
Mammoet will employ multiple lifting and transport crews for simultaneous operations to support with the loading of equipment and tower assembly in the marshalling harbour, a key piece in constructing the project. The team will utilise cranes and self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) axles at Able Seaton Port, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm marshalling harbour.
GE will start preparing the marshalling harbour and receiving components at the end of 2022.
Mammoet UK Managing Director, Mark Sadler, said:
“This contract represents not just a win for Mammoet and renewable energy investment but for the people of Teesside.
“Securing the project means even greater potential investment and business growth that will expand our existing pool of highly skilled labour with renewables expertise in the region. We have a great opportunity to support GE Renewables and other businesses building the UK’s fast-growing offshore wind energy market.”
Simon Bailey, Commercial Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“We’re delighted to see another company from the north-east of England winning valuable contracts in our supply chain and playing a significant role in the construction of the world’s largest offshore wind farm. We look forward to working with GE and Mammoet on achieving this exciting milestone at Able Seaton.”
GE Renewable Energy announced in May, 2021 that it had finalised all supply contracts for the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm, due to become the largest offshore wind farm in the world upon completion.
Nathan Fahey, GE Project Director for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“We are delighted to announce that we have selected Mammoet UK as our cranes and logistics supplier for the Dogger Bank Wind farm. The cranes and associated equipment the company will provide and operate for us will be essential to the smooth operation of our marshalling harbour on Teesside, where 277 sets of blades, nacelles and towers of our Haliade-X Wind Turbines will be erected and transit over the course of the project. We believe Mammoet has the right expertise and equipment to be an excellent partner for us.”
Mammoet UK’s headquarters in Teesside sits on a six-acre site located just 12 miles from the project and employs approximately over 180 full-time employees. The facility consists of offices, storage, workshop space and testing areas. Mammoet has also established an academy on the site, where it plans to train additional crews as part of the resourcing plan. This local presence is critical to the success of the project.
Caption: Mammoet UK, based in Thornaby Teesside, will supply onshore heavy lifting and transport for the staging and installation of turbines for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
9th November 2022 in Construction, Project news, Supply Chain
International energy logistics provider Peterson has been awarded a contract to provide facilities management for shared access to the onshore converter stations for two major offshore wind farms, with the creation of 20 local jobs.
The three-year contract will see Peterson support with the grounds (summer and winter) maintenance, drainage and site security for the shared access areas of a 20-acre converter station construction site adjacent to Wilton International in Teesside on behalf of Dogger Bank C and Sofia offshore wind projects.
Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is 100% owned by RWE and Dogger Bank C, the third phase in the wider Dogger Bank Wind Farm, is owned by SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). The projects are cooperating closely due to their proximity, including joint contracts for civil engineering and facilities management.
Sandra Hawkins, General Manager for England at Peterson, said:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to apply our expertise as part of the development of these world-leading wind farms which will deliver significant, long-term benefit to the local area in the years ahead.”
Jason Hendry, Managing Director for England and Renewables Strategy at Peterson, said:
“This contract builds on our existing service offering to the offshore wind sector and aligns with our wider strategy to provide integrated solutions to our customers.
“We look forward to working with all involved to deliver more sustainable energy solutions to households in the UK.”
The contract marks an exciting time for Peterson who are on track to reach carbon neutral status across their global operations by the end of this year.
Supply Chain Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Robin Banning, said:
“On behalf of Dogger Bank C and Sofia we welcome Peterson’s expertise to our team, bringing local knowledge and capability to the shared site of both project’s converter stations as they continue to take shape.
“This contract will provide around 20 new UK jobs in our supply chain, and will present new opportunities for employment in the north-east of England where a number of our onshore assets will be located, along with our offshore construction hub at Able Seaton .”
29th September 2022 in Construction, Project news, Supply Chain
Hughes Subsea Services Ltd has signed a contract with Dogger Bank Wind farm to provide vessel, crew and equipment to complete the 2023 internal anode installation campaign across the first phase of the wind farm.
The contract will support up to 60 jobs in the UK supply chain.
Hughes will install the internal cathodic protection systems across the complete 95 wind turbines being installed at Dogger Bank A, using a walk-to-work offshore support vessel.
The system is designed to protect the turbines from corrosion during the wind farm’s 35-year operational lifetime and is being manufactured by South Tyneside specialist, Metec UK.
The work scope is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2023 and has an expected duration of 2 months.
Ian Hughes, Managing Director at Hughes, said:
“We’re delighted to have been chosen by Dogger Bank Wind Farm for the Anode Installation contract award, we look forward to working with the developers on delivering and building on a successful project.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Senior Project Manager, Alan Borland, said:
“Hughes will play an important role in protecting our assets from seawater corrosion during the operational lifetime of the world’s largest offshore wind farm by installing our internal foundation anodes”
“The contract will also support an additional 60 roles in the UK supply chain when this work is underway from Spring 2023.”
Picture caption: Hughes Subsea Services Ltd has signed a contract with Dogger Bank Wind farm to provide vessel, crew and equipment to complete the 2023 internal anode installation campaign across the first phase of the wind farm.
Ends
21st September 2022 in Construction, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- Almost 73 miles of onshore HVDC cable weighing 3,500 tonnes installed in East Riding of Yorkshire
- Cable installation was carried out by North Wales-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering and supported by Bristol-based Powersystems UK and North Yorkshire cable specialists FB Taylor
- Initial ground preparation and drilling works supported by Essex-based Joseph Gallagher Group
- Cable work integral to future transmission of renewable energy from the world’s largest offshore wind farm to UK homes and businesses
The team building Dogger Bank Wind Farm has safely installed almost 73 miles of HVDC underground cables in East Riding of Yorkshire in another giant milestone for the world-leading project.
Onshore construction for the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm began in January 2020 when Jones Bros Civil Engineering broke ground near the village of Ulrome in East Riding of Yorkshire.
The North Wales civil engineering specialists have installed almost 73 miles of HVDC cables in East Riding, with support from Bristol-based Powersystems UK and North Yorkshire cable installation specialists F B Taylor.
Jones Bros commenced installation of the cable ducting system in spring 2020, with the support of Essex-based Joseph Gallagher undertaking a series of horizontal directional drills in preparation for cable installation works to begin last summer.
This latest milestone marks the completion of HVDC cable installation work in East Riding, with the team now focusing on the installation of around four miles of HVAC cable from its convertor station site near Beverley, to the Creyke Beck electricity sub-station near Cottingham.
Work is also underway to reinstate the land to its former condition, following completion of this part of the programme.
Onshore project manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Oliver Flattery, said:
“The whole team has worked incredibly hard and diligently since the start of 2020 to safely and efficiently prepare the 30km route, through a combination of trenching and drilling methods, before installing protective ducts and then feeding 3,362 tonnes of underground cables through these ducts.
“This has been a huge undertaking, and one we’re all proud to have been part of.
“We thank local residents and businesses in East Riding of Yorkshire for their patience and understanding over the last 2 years while this work has been taking place.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is being built in the North Sea more than 130km from the Yorkshire coast in three phases known as Dogger Bank A, B and C. Dogger Bank A and B phases will connect to the national grid near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire, while Dogger Bank C will connect to the grid near Redcar in the Tees Valley.
The world-class renewable energy project, which will be capable of powering 6 million UK homes annually on completion, is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni Plenitude (20%).
The electricity generated by the Dogger Bank A and B wind turbines will come ashore south of Bridlington at Ulrome in East Riding, and be transmitted via underground HVDC cables to the onshore convertor station site in East Riding.
The HVDC cable route ends at the convertor station site near Beverley, where two convertor stations are currently under construction. Here, the electricity will be converted from HVDC to HVAC current for transmission to homes and businesses via the UK grid network.
The Dogger Bank project is the first offshore wind farm in the UK to use HVDC technology, which allows electricity to be transmitted efficiently across long distances.
Jones Bros project manager James Lockwood said:
“Hitting this key milestone on the world’s largest offshore wind farm has been made possible thanks to the efforts of every individual on site.
“I know it brings everyone from senior managers to trainees and apprentices a great sense of pride to be associated with this project, and we’re excited to see how the rest of the scheme develops.”
Nigel Baldwin, Health and Safety Director for F B Taylor, said:
“Working on the largest offshore wind farm has been a humbling experience for all involved and something that we are immensely proud of. We would like to thank the full site team for their work ethic and support during this project and hope to be involved with many more offshore opportunities throughout the coming years”.
Jonathan Stock, Head of Projects for Powersystems UK, said:
“We are very pleased to announce the completion of the HVDC cable installation at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the world’s largest offshore windfarm. This is a huge achievement for all involved and particularly the efforts of the Powersystems UK team, our supply chain partners FB Taylors and Collett Transport and partners Jones Bros.
“The team showed great pride, professionalism, proactiveness, partnership and priority towards health, safety, environment, and quality.”
Tony Matheson, Director at Joseph Gallagher Limited, said:
“This has been a fantastic project to work on over the past two years. Our team have been instrumental throughout, operating four horizontal directional drilling rigs simultaneously during peak times, installing an impressive 27km of duct in 140 drills – ranging from 50m to 620m and then returning to grout the cables after the install.
“It’s been a true collaborative effort working with Jones Bros throughout the project. The team’s work ethic shone through helping to deliver the project to programme and with safety at the forefront – something we are very proud to have been part of.”
Offshore construction work on the first two phases of the project began in April with the start of work to install sub-sea HVDC cables off the Yorkshire coast. And in July the project celebrated the successful installation of the first foundation in the North Sea. Next year the team will install the first turbine on Dogger Bank A, with a total 277 GE Renewable Energy Haliade-X turbines set to be installed on all three phases of the project by 2026.
Onshore work is also underway on the third phase of the windfarm in the Tees Valley, where the project is collaborating with neighbouring Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, owned by RWE, to minimise disruption to the local community.
ENDS
Picture caption: Dogger Bank Wind Farm has successfully installed nearly 73 miles of HVDC cables in East Riding of Yorkshire for the first two phases of the project.
