Latest news : Supply Chain

UK-designed cable monitoring system to be pioneered on Dogger Bank Wind Farm

15th February 2022 in Project news, Supply Chain

An innovative new inter-array cable monitoring system that will help technicians identify and prevent potential faults is set to be deployed for the first time on Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

The ECG™ holistic cable monitoring system has been developed in the UK by Proserv Controls. It provides operators with real-time data for improved decision-making and supporting optimum operating efficiency.

The technology will be used for the first time on the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, after the company was awarded a contract with Dogger Bank tier one supplier, DEME.

The Proserv order follows on from a cable protection system (CPS) contract being awarded to Darlington-based Tekmar Energy Limited. The Generation 10 TekTube contract with DEME is Tekmar’s largest CPS order to date.

More than 3,000 UK jobs have now been created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

Halfdan Brustad, Vice President of Dogger Bank Wind Farm operations, said:

“In another world-first for the project, we’re looking forward to using this high-tech system to support us in optimising our assets during the operational phase.

“With vast experience in the oil and gas sector, Proserv are now translating their subsea experience into solutions for offshore wind. We’re excited to be supporting them on this journey as their first ECG customer, and we look forward to working with them, alongside DEME, as we continue to build this innovative and world-class wind farm.”

Paul Cook, Business Development Director – Renewables, Proserv Controls, stated:

“Dogger Bank represents one of the most important offshore wind projects under construction, so this success for our new ECG holistic cable monitoring system is a major endorsement of our market proposition, and a significant step forward in Proserv’s renewables strategy.

“We are delighted that DEME Offshore has chosen to work with us in the vital area of cable asset management and to utilise our exciting technology delivering synchronous, real-time monitoring.”

Dogger Bank-destined jack-up vessel marks sea change in turbine installation capability

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.”

Dogger Bank announces supplier events for O&M phase

19th January 2022 in Operations, Press releases, Supply Chain

O&M Base

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:

  1. Introductory Webinar – Online (Zoom). 17th February.
  2. Meet the Buyers Event – Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co. Durham, TS21 2EH. 12th April. 
  3. Skills Webinar – Online (Zoom). 19th May.
  4. Business Dinner (invite only) – Ramside Hall Hotel, Carrville, Co. Durham, DH1 1TD. 09th June. 
  5. Innovation Workshop – Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG. 20th September. 
  6. 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/

Another UK manufacturer to help build Dogger Bank foundations

22nd December 2021 in Project news, Supply Chain

Steel manufactured in Wales and processed in Corby and Hartlepool is set to play a role in the foundations that will support the world’s largest offshore Wind Farm.

Sif and Smulders were awarded contracts to provide the monopiles and transition pieces for the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm in November 2020, with Dogger Bank C awarded a year later.

They have since awarded subcontracts to South Tyneside-based Metec and Rochdale-based Granada to work on this world-leading project, with an order now placed with Tata Steel to help shape the transition pieces.

Steel made in Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site and processed into hollow sections at the company’s Corby and Hartlepool sites, will help form the supporting components of the transition pieces to be used in the fist two phases of the wind farm.

Sandip Biswas, Chairman of the Board of Tata Steel UK, said:

“We are proud to be able to help support UK jobs and manufacturing through this project.

“Huge amounts of steel will be needed to help the UK achieve its net-zero goals – to build everything from renewable energy and low-CO2 transportation to hydrogen production and distribution.

“At the same time, we have targets for our own decarbonisation as a steelmaker. Our own transition to a decarbonised future will rely on a secure supply of competitively priced renewable energy – whether that be to create hydrogen for future steelmaking or power new low-CO2 furnaces. The more we can help in delivering these landmark projects the better.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm Project Director, Steve Wilson, said:

“This is another great example of how we’re taking advantage of UK skills and expertise to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Our transition pieces are among the largest to be installed on an offshore wind farm, and this UK-manufactured steel will form some of the supporting components.

“Dogger Bank Wind Farm is already creating or supporting more than 3,000 jobs in the UK supply chain, and giving companies the chance to work on a pioneering project which will help them become increasingly competitive as the world adapts to produce energy that doesn’t cost the earth.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK-based civil engineering specialist wins more Dogger Bank work

21st December 2021 in Project news, Supply Chain

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has won another contract to work on the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

The North Wales-based civil engineering company will deliver trenching, duct installation and joint bays for the 2km connection between the converter station for the third phase of the wind farm, near Redcar, and the National Grid infrastructure at Lackenby on Teesside. The initial work is expected to begin in March 2023.

Jones Bros is already installing more than 80 miles of cable for the first two phases of the wind farm in East Riding of Yorkshire.

The team was also appointed to deliver the enabling works package for the onshore convertor station platforms for the third phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, in a joint contract with neighbouring Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. Jones Bros has been engaged by RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, to manage the works on behalf of both Sofia and Dogger Bank C to minimise disruption to those living or working near the site.

Contracts director for Jones Bros, Eryl Roberts, said: “As this will follow on from construction of converter station infrastructure for the same project, we will benefit from a considerable body of local knowledge built up in recent years.

“As well as this, we will be able to continue to invest in the North East’s regional economy, including working with subcontractors from the area, as well as sustaining apprenticeships.

“The lengthy lead-in gives us a relatively long design period to develop and implement new and innovative solutions for the scheme in partnership with the client.

“This will include plans to minimise disruption. The route passes across a number of key roads such as the A1053, so this will mean conducting horizontal drilling in addition to the trench digging that will be used for the majority of the distance.”

Dogger Bank C Onshore Package Manager, Stephen Reynolds, said:

“Building on the work already underway on the first phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Jones Bros will now play a vital role in helping connect the windfarm to the National Grid infrastructure for the third phase.

“We look forward to extending our relationship with this UK-based firm, as we continue to build this record-breaking windfarm.”

Jones Bros is one of a number of UK-based firms to secure contracts on the world’s largest offshore wind farm, which will provide renewable energy for 6 million UK homes on completion in 2026. 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.

Darlington-based Tekmar Energy became the latest firm to join the wind farm’s supply chain, after securing its largest-ever contract with Dogger Bank’s tier one supplier, 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.