Turbine foundations installed
Published: 15 September, 2017
Wind turbine foundations are reported to now be in place off the coast of Blyth to mark the latest stage of a pioneering offshore wind farm development.
EDF Energy Renewables says it is currently delivering the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm after taking over responsibility for the scheme from ORE Catapult (formerly Narec) in October 2014.
Five gravity based foundations (GBFs) have now been installed using a new “float and submerge” process – the first time this method has been used for offshore wind turbines. Designed and built by Royal BAM Group in the Neptune dry dock on the Tyne, the GBFs were floated into position off the coast of Northumberland and submerged onto the seabed and further ballasted to provide the support structures that act as the foundations for the turbines.
BAM Nuttall regional director, Gareth Farrier, said “This is a significant milestone in both the construction of the Blyth project and in the development of the BAM gravity base foundation. I would like to express my own and BAM’s appreciation for the hard work and professionalism of the BAM and Strukton marine teams in successfully completing the world’s first float and submerge installation for wind farm foundations.”
Cable laying works being carried out by VBMS are now underway.
