Vattenfall’s pioneering wind turbine testing facility off Aberdeen will feature what is believed to be an industry first.
The 11 turbines in Aberdeen Bay will each have a ‘suction bucket’ at the bottom of its shaft which will anchor it to the seabed.
It is believed to be the first time that such technology has been paired with the world’s most powerful turbines.
Suction bucket foundations resemble upturned buckets that are lowered onto the seabed and then have the water pumped out of them to create a lower pressure.
The makes the foundations stick to the marine floor, with little to no preparation needed and makes them easier to decommission.
Smulders Projects in Newcastle is to carry out the assembly work for the 92.4mw European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC).
The contract helps safeguard around 35 jobs and creates up to another 105 positions.
Adam Ezzamel, Vattenfall’s project director for the EOWDC, said: “This latest contract award follows successful trials of the game-changing buckets and as a leading fabrication specialist for the wind sector, we’re pleased that Smulders will be carrying out the assembly.
“The buckets enable faster offshore installation of the EOWDC, while keeping noise to a minimum, and allow easier decommissioning as the installation process is reversed.
“As such, the technology will contribute to driving down the cost of clean power as offshore wind moves into deeper waters and more complex seabed conditions.”
Smulders’ manufacturing hub in Newcastle is used for constructing jackets and substations. There has been significant recent investment to expand the facilities.
Smulders’ contract for the EOWDC is the latest in a series that have been awarded over the past six months for the project.
Other Tier 1 contractors appointed were MHI Vestas to supply the turbines and which is fabricating the 80m blades at its Isle of Wight factory.
London-headquartered J Murphy and Sons Limited is providing the onshore substation and associated cabling work.
Hartlepool-based JDR is to deliver the 66kV inter-array and export cables, representing the first deployment of this technology.
Babcock in Rosyth is deploying the project’s floating LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology to provide offshore wind data.
Vattenfall has also signed leases totalling 24 years with Aberdeen Harbour Board, becoming the first offshore wind operator to invest long term in the port’s facilities.
The EOWDC is being developed by Vattenfall-owned company, Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Limited.
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