31st January 2022 in Construction, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
The jack-up vessel that will enter service for the first time to install the turbines on Dogger Bank Wind Farm has been officially launched.
Jan De Nul’s Voltaire will play a critical role in the installation of 277 GE Haliade-X turbines in the North Sea, more than 130km off the Yorkshire coast of England.
With a lifting capacity of more than 3,000 tonnes and a deck space equal to a football pitch, the ship is the largest of its kind in the world.
The next generation vessel was launched at the COSCO Shipping Shipyard in Nantong, China.
Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank Project Director, said:
“We congratulate Jan De Nul on successfully launching its unrivalled Jack up Vessel, the Voltaire. This impressive installation vessel will play a critical role in the construction of all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm when it enters service, demonstrating an innovative engineering solution to the growing challenge presented by larger and more technically demanding wind farms.”
Dogger Bank wind farm agreed a contract with Jan De Nul for the transport and installation of turbines for the first two phases of the wind farm in 2019, with the Dogger Bank C contract following on last year.
The Voltaire will be able to run on second-generation biodiesel that reduces its fuel carbon footprint by up to 90%, and is also equipped with an advanced dual exhaust filter system, removing up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions.
The launch of this environmentally-innovative vessel came just 20 days after Jan De Nul launched its Les Alizés ship to serve the growing demand from current and future wind farm projects.
Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Division at Jan De Nul Group, said:
“The Voltaire will enable us to work in deeper waters and reach ever higher nacelle heights than before. Adding Voltaire and Les Alizés to the fleet gives us the perfect set of vessels to execute the growing number of large and clustered international offshore wind projects. Our forward-looking view on market trends and the quick decision making to invest in this set of Next Gen installation vessels, have done us no harm. The Voltaire and Les Alizés have all the required specifications to meet the upcoming challenges in offshore renewables. We are proud to be recognised for the choices we made back in 2019, and look forward to continuing our journey, alongside industry leaders, through our contribution to renewable energy growth in the worldwide energy transition.”
19th January 2022 in Operations, Press releases, Supply Chain
Dogger Bank Wind Farm today announces a series of supply chain events throughout 2022, aimed at showcasing opportunities during the operations and maintenance phase of the wind farm. The events will focus on key themes that will also help to develop the future supply chain and workforce for offshore wind in the region, including innovation and skills.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located more than 130km off the north-east coast of England and is being delivered by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni. SSE Renewables is leading on construction and delivery while Equinor will operate the wind farm on completion. Due to its size and scale, Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. In total the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.
The Dogger Bank team will work with north-east based business development organisation NOF to deliver the events. They will take place throughout the year and include both online and in person activities, as follows:
- Introductory Webinar – Online (Zoom). 17th February.
- Meet the Buyers Event – Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co. Durham, TS21 2EH. 12th April.
- Skills Webinar – Online (Zoom). 19th May.
- Business Dinner (invite only) – Ramside Hall Hotel, Carrville, Co. Durham, DH1 1TD. 09th June.
- Innovation Workshop – Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG. 20th September.
- Operations & Maintenance Tour – Port of Tyne. 22nd November.
For further information and to register for the events when they are published, please visit https://www.nof.co.uk/
Mark Halliday, Dogger Bank Operations Director said: “We are delighted to be continuing our work with NOF to connect the wider supply chain with our Tier 1 suppliers and provide awareness of the opportunities available during the operations and maintenance phase of the wind farm. Dogger Bank will be operational for 35 years and we will rely on the supply chain to provide key products and services, bring new technologies and innovations to the project and help develop the workforce of the future. We look forward to engaging with the industry and providing opportunities to be part of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.”
The construction phase of the project is underway and the team previously worked with NOF to deliver a series of ‘meet the buyer’ events to help prepare the supply chain for opportunities to get involved, by connecting Tier 1 suppliers with the local and UK supply chains. The project is proud to be working with a number of local suppliers following these activities, including South Tyneside based Metec UK and Darlington based Tekmar Energy. Dogger Bank is also the anchor project for LM Wind Power’s investment in a new blade manufacturing facility on Teesside. To date, more than 3,000 UK roles have been created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, said: “The UK, and in particular, north-east England has a world-class offshore wind supply chain, which can apply its extensive experience and technology-led solutions to support the operations and maintenance phase of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. This landmark renewables project will also present opportunities for companies yet to join the energy transition, which can diversify their skills, products and services into the offshore wind market.
“We are exceptionally proud to continue our partnership with Dogger Bank Wind Farm with this series of events, which will help build long-term and collaborative relationships between the wind farm operations team and supply chain companies, delivering mutual benefits and ensuring this region continues to make a positive contribution to net zero.”
More about Dogger Bank:
The Dogger Bank O&M Base is being constructed at the Port of Tyne and is due to be completed in Q4 2022. The project is the UK’s first HVDC connected wind farm and will feature the world’s first unmanned HVDC offshore platforms. North Star Renewables has been contracted to provide four Service Operation Vessel’s to the project.
One rotation of GE’s Haliade-X turbine can power a UK household for two days. 277 units of the 13MW and 14MW turbines will be used on Dogger Bank.
Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). In November 2021 SSE Renewables and Equinor, 50:50 joint venture partners in Dogger Bank C, announced Eni will take a 20% stake in the final phase, with SSE Renewables and Equinor maintaining 40% stakes each, in a deal that is expected to complete in Q1 2022 subject to regulatory approvals.
If you would like to register your interest as a potential supplier to Dogger Bank Wind Farm, please go to https://doggerbank.com/supply-chain/supplier-registration/
17th December 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- Contract will support 170 jobs at the Darlington-based firm and more in the company’s UK supply chain.
- More than 3,000 UK jobs now created or supported by construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Tekmar Energy Limited has won its largest ever cable protection system (CPS) contract to support the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
The Darlington-based provider of technology and services for the global offshore energy markets, secured a contract with Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s tier one contractor, DEME Offshore.
Part of the Tekmar Group, the company will design, manufacture and supply Generation 10 TekTube CPS to protect subsea inter array cables on the first two phases of the wind farm, Dogger Bank A and B, with a future option for Dogger Bank C.
All systems will be manufactured at Tekmar’s state-of-the-art facility in the north-east of England, supporting 170 jobs and further roles in Tekmar’s 100% UK-based supply chain.
Gary Howland, Tekmar Group Sales Director, said:
“As a company headquartered in the north-east of England, we are extremely proud to play a part in this hugely significant project for the region and look forward to working with DEME Offshore to successfully deliver the project.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director Steve Wilson, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome this leading north-east manufacturer to the supply chain for the world’s largest offshore wind farm. To secure this contract on our ground-breaking development, Tekmar has demonstrated world-class capability and expertise. With more than 3,000 UK jobs now associated with the construction and operation of the wind farm, we can say with certainty that with the right support and the right opportunities, our offshore wind supply chain here in the UK is becoming increasingly globally-competitive.”
Due to its size and scale, Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. In total the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.
16th December 2021 in Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
- 250 km of inter-array cable to be installed at third phase of world’s biggest offshore wind farm .
16 December 2021: Dogger Bank Wind Farm has signed an EPCI contract with DEME Offshore for the inter-array cables at the 1.2GW Dogger Bank C phase of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
Today’s announcement follows the earlier award of the Dogger bank A and B inter-array cable contract to DEME in early 2021.
The scope of this new EPCI agreement includes the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the subsea cables for the 1.2 GW phase of the wind farm. DEME Offshore will supply, install and protect approximately 250 km of 66 kV inter-array cables and all related accessories.
Production of the cables for Dogger Bank C is set to start in 2023. The cables will be installed in 2025 and DEME will once again be deploying its DP3 cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’. Living Stone boasts an inhouse designed dual-lane system, consisting of two cable highways – this allows cable laying using one lane whilst the next cable can be simultaneously prepared and have the cable protection system (CPS) installed on the other lane. As previously demonstrated, this significantly reduces the time needed for preparing the cables, minimises manual handling, increases the vessel’s workability and ultimately, improves production rates.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located more than 130km off the north-east coast of England and is currently being delivered by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni. The wind farm is being developed in three 1.2 GW phases, A, B and C. Upon completion, Dogger Bank will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm and will generate energy to power 6 million homes every year.
Bart De Poorter, General Manager of DEME Offshore commented: “
After securing the Dogger Bank A and B inter-array cable contract earlier this year, we are proud to now also confirm the inter-array cable contract for Dogger Bank C. This contract not only demonstrates the unrivalled cable-laying capabilities by our DEME Offshore team, it is also further testament to the stellar reputation of our DP3 cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’.”
Simon Bailey, Commercial Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm said:
“We are delighted to award the contract for the supply, installation and protection of the inter-array cables at Dogger Bank C to DEME Offshore, extending our existing relationship with DEME on phases A and B to the third phase of this project. This will ensure continued synergies across the construction activities of the offshore wind farm, including the deployment of DEME’s state-of-the-art cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’ which will install the almost 250 km of 66 kV inter-array cables required to connect Dogger Bank C’s offshore turbines.”
Dogger Bank A and B is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%). On 2 November 2021 SSE and Equinor announced the sell down of a combined 20% share in Dogger Bank C to Eni (10% each). The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2022, subject to regulatory and lenders approvals and customary purchase price adjustments. Eni will enter the asset effective from completion of the sell down transaction. Once the transaction is complete, the new overall shareholding in Dogger Bank C will be SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%).
Ends
9th December 2021 in Operations, Press releases, Project news, Supply Chain
North Star Group has been awarded a service operations vessel (SOV) contract to support the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with the creation of 40 more UK-based jobs.
The UK firm will deliver an additional ship boasting its new hybrid-powered renewables fleet design to support offshore wind technicians working in the field.
This will be the fourth SOV and associated daughter craft the business has been contracted to build and operate by the project, making North Star the exclusive service vessel operator for the world’s largest wind farm for at least the next decade.
In March, the firm won the initial contract for Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B following a competitive tender for the design and delivery of three SOVs.
Each of the four Dogger Bank SOVs have been contracted on a 10-year agreement, with three additional one-year options.
Around 40 new full-time positions in crewing and onshore-based job will be created locally, in addition to the 130 announced previously to support the first three SOVs. Recruitment is already underway, underpinning the company’s commitment to supporting communities in the UK.
The company, which employs around 1,400 personnel out of its facilities in Aberdeen, Newcastle and its Boston Putford division in Lowestoft, has unrivalled marine expertise in the North Sea. The business, which has been operating for 135 years, has the largest wholly owned UK fleet and currently supports more than 50 installations with its existing purpose-built tonnage.
North Star’s new SOVs are high performance, sustainable vessels capable of supporting net-zero goals and utilising fuels of the future. They provide comfortable, floating-hotel style accommodation to offshore wind turbine technicians and a centralised logistics hub to travel to and from work each day across a “walk-to-work” gangway, or transfer via a smaller daughter craft vessel. The SOVs are also configured to handle cargo and act as a warehouse.
North Star CEO, Matthew Gordon said:
“Securing the final SOV contract required for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm development for the next decade is an honour, and testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at North Star and our talented technology partners. We are fully committed to supporting the local supply chain and communities in the UK where possible and are actively recruiting around 170 personnel from across the country to support this complete vessel package.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Equinor, SSE Renewables and Eni for their enthusiasm and confidence in our SOV service, which significantly shifts the dial on sustainability, comfort, safety and workability These hybrid-powered vessels are futureproofed for tomorrow’s zero-carbon emission marine fuels and the superior home-from-home living space will provide the offshore wind technicians exceptional respite from the often-harsh North Sea environment.
“The Dogger Bank C award has put us in an even stronger market position to deliver further value to our shareholders as we continue with our strategic ambitions to secure additional projects in the UK offshore renewables market and beyond.”
Due to its size and scale, Dogger Bank is being built in three consecutive 1.2GW phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. In total the wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply 5% of the UK’s demand, equivalent to powering six million homes.
Rune Rønvik, Project Manager for Dogger Bank, said:
“With the final SOV also being delivered by North Star we will have the same ship owner across all three phases which means we will continue the constructive cooperation we have started and develop the operational synergies further.
“As we have seen from North Star’s initial contract award, securing big orders can really help UK businesses enter the offshore wind market, secure investment and create jobs, and we at Dogger Bank are proud to have played a role in enabling this UK company take advantage of the global opportunity presented by offshore wind.”
ENDS
