Top 10 Things to Watch in Offshore Wind in '24
Despite short-term obstacles driven by high inflation and interest rates coupled with supply chain issues, we maintain that the foundations supporting long-term offshore wind activity remain solid. As we prepare for the new year, let us look at 10 factors that will shape the offshore wind sector in 2024.1. A Continuously Dynamic Energy TrilemmaThe dynamic relationship of the three key drivers of affordable energy, energy security and energy transition was clearly evident in 2023 as energy affordability and security were generally more prominent themes than the transition.
Vattenfall, BASF Partner on Nordlicht 1 and 2
Vattenfall and BASF are in advanced and exclusive discussions to partner on the Nordlicht 1 and 2 projects through a sale of 49 percent of the project shares to BASF. Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally express their joint ambition. The Nordlicht wind park zone is located 85 km north of the island of Borkum in the German North Sea and consists of two separate sites: Nordlicht 1 with a capacity of 980 MW and Nordlicht 2 with 630 MW. Vattenfall develops and constructs the Nordlicht sites.
KenzFigee Secures Contract from Aker Solutions
Lifting specialist KenzFigee has signed a contract with Aker Solutions for the supply of an offshore pedestal crane destined for the Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind farm developed by Vattenfall.The delivery involves an electric hydraulic box boom offshore Ram Luffing 2400 type with a SWL of 20t, designed and manufactured by KenzFigee for installation on the Norfolk Vanguard high-voltage, direct current converter station situated off the coast of Norfolk, UK.The crane is designed and verified in accordance with EN13852-1 and certified to DNVGL-ST-0378 lifting requirements…
PortLiner to Construct Electrolyte Bunkering Station in Hartelkanaal
The Port of Rotterdam Authority and inland shipping operator PortLiner signed a contract for the construction of a charging and storage pontoon for flow batteries in the Hartelkanaal.From this bunkering station, PortLiner will supply electrically powered inland vessels with flow batteries. Construction is set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with completion of the Netherlands’ first electrolyte bunkering station expected in Q1 of 2024.Pioneer in zero-emission transport solutionsDue to growing demand for electrically powered inland vessels…
First Zero-emission Electric Pusher Tug & Barge Enters Service for Cargill
Cargill will charter the world’s first fully electric pusher boat and barges to transport cocoa beans in the Netherlands.The company will use Kotug International’s zero emission E-Pusher and E-Barges to transport cocoa beans from the Port of Amsterdam, the largest cocoa import port in the world, to its cocoa factory in Zaandam. The fully electrified pusher and barges eliminate both emissions and noise pollution for inland shipping.The E-Pusher 1 was christened this week, marking the official start of the operations with the vessel for Cargill…
CIMC Raffles to Build 2nd Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Vessel for Havfram Wind
Offshore wind installation firm Havfram Wind has ordered a second Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV).This is the first optional vessel ordered under the existing shipbuilding contract with China's CIMC Raffles.The vessel design will be similar to the first GustoMSC NG20000X Jack-Up vessel currently under construction. "The latest battery hybrid drive train technology is incorporated in the design to significantly reduce carbon emissions per installed megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity.
Vattenfall Picks Port for Giant Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone
Renewable energy developer Vattenfall has selected the port at Great Yarmouth, run by infrastructure specialists Peel Ports, as the preferred location for the operations and maintenance base for the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone.When completed, Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will be able to power around 4.6 million households.According to Peel Ports around 130 new jobs would be created with staff directly employed for the lifetime of the project which is around 35 years.
DNV, Partners Launch JIP to Assess Offshore Wind Installation Emissions
The maritime classification society DNV has, with its partners, launched a joint industry program to establish a monitoring and reporting framework for assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the offshore wind installation sector. The partners of the JIP called EMRED, comprise energy companies, ScottishPower Renewables, RWE, Vattenfall, and Orsted, and installation and operation companies, Jan De Nul Group, DEME, Ziton, Cadeler, Van Oord, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, and DNV."The expansion of renewable energy generation is a key part of the global energy transition.
Fugro Expands Geotechnical Vessel Fleet
Dutch offshore survey company Fugro has expanded its geotechnical vessel fleet with the Fugro Quest vessel. According to Fugro, the vessel is equipped with advanced deep-water technology."Fugro uses this type of vessel to determine the exact composition of the soil; the resulting data are essential to establish the optimal location and design of offshore developments, such as wind farms," Fugro explained.The Dutch company also says that the vessel provides increased personnel and operational safety…
CBED's Wind Innovation SOV Extends Stay at German Wind Farm Project
Offshore accommodation company CBED has won a contract extension for its Wind Innovation service operations vessel Wind Innovation.Back in May, the company secured a contract for the vessel at the DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms in the German North Sea.Now, the extension has been secured with the wind farm owner, a joint venture between Vattenfall Europe Windkraft GmbH and Stadtwerke München GmbH Vattenfall, securing full activity for the SOV, Wind Innovation, from Q1 to Q4 2023.
CBED to Provide Accommodation Vessel for German North Sea Wind Farm Projects
Offshore accommodation company CBED has won a contract for its Wind Innovation vessel on the DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms in the German North Sea."With the operations and maintenance service contract with DanTysk Sandbank Offshore Wind GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Vattenfall Europe Windkraft GmbH and Stadtwerke München GmbH., CBED secures full activity until Q4 2022 for its walk-to-work service operation vessel, Wind Innovation," CBED said.Ahead of starting its German North Sea contract…
Cadeler Orders $345M Offshore Wind Foundation Installation Vessel from COSCO
Danish offshore wind installation services provider Cadeler has officially ordered a $345 million offshore wind foundation installation vessel from China's COSCO Heavy Industries.Cadeler first announced the plan to order the F-class vessel last week, when it announced a private placement of shares aimed at raising the part of the funds for the vessel order. The contract includes an option for an additional X or F-class vessel."The new vessel will enable Cadeler to target the growing…
Cadeler Raises $91,25M for Newbuild Wind Turbine Foundation Installation Vessel
Danish offshore wind turbine and foundation installation firm Cadeler has raised EUR 86 million (around $91,25M) via a private placement, with the plan to use the cash to fund a part of the construction of a new "hybrid" offshore wind farm foundation installation vessel.Announcing the private placement plans on Wednesday, the company said it was in talks with COSCO over a potential order to construct a purpose-built ship for the installation of large offshore wind farm foundations.
One of the Heaviest Offshore Jacket Lifts Ever: Allseas' Pioneering Spirit Removes Ninian Northern Jacket
Offshore installation and decommissioning contractor Allseas has removed the Ninian Northern jacket in the North Sea in a single lift, showcasing its new jacket lifting system installed aboard its giant Pioneering Spirit vessel.In what was the first deployment of the new jacket lifting technology, Pioneering Spirit removed CNR International’s Ninian Northern jacket from the northern North Sea and transported it intact to shore for recycling.Weighing in at 8100 tonnes, the first commercial lift with Pioneering Spirit’s Jacket lift system (JLS) is one of the heaviest offshore jackets lifts ever…
Drifting Ship Hits Tennet's HKZ Beta Platform Jacket
A cargo ship was cast adrift by storm Corrie on Monday in the Dutch North Sea, in the area where grid operator TenneT is building two transformer platforms (Hollandse Kust Zuid Alpha and Beta) for the connection of the offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Zuid that is being built by Vattenfall. "TenneT is currently working on the Hollandse Kust Zuid Alpha platform. Fortunately, the situation was safe for the 100 or so employees present and there was no need to evacuate," Tennet said Tuesday.However…
Vattenfall Selects Hvide Sande as Service Port for Danish Offshore Wind Farms
Swedish power firm Vattenfall has chosen Hvide Sande Harbour in Denmark as its service port for Vesterhav Syd and Nord wind farms in the Danish part of the North Sea. The move will create around 50 new jobs.Danish Energy Agency has approved Vattenfall's environmental assessment and construction plans for 350 MW offshore wind farms Vesterhav Syd and Nord in December 2020. "Hvide Sande will to be the service hub for Vattenfall’s Danish offshore wind operations in the northern part of the North Sea and benefit from the creation of about 50 jobs…
Vattenfall Picks Island Offshore Vessel for Offshore Wind W2W in Germany
Norwegian offshore vessel operator Island Offshore, mostly known for its offshore vessel services in the Norwegian oil and gas industry, has recently won a walk-to-work contract with Vattenfall in the offshore wind sector in Germany.Island Offshore said the contract was an important one and will see its vessel Island Diligence deployed at Vattenfall-operated DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms in the German part of the North Sea.Island Diligence will provide accommodation and transfer of technicians via the vessel’s gangway solution, to the wind turbines.
TenneT: No Major Damage to HKZ Jacket after Cargo Ship Allision. Topside Installation Imminent
TenneT's investigation has shown that there is no major damage to the HKZ Beta jacket in the Dutch North Sea which was hit by a drifting bulk carrier in a storm in January. This means that the 3,950t topside can be installed on the jacket as planned, forming part of the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) grid connection that connects the offshore wind farm zone to the Dutch mainland at the Maasvlakte. The wind farm is being built by Vattenfall. The incidentOn Monday, January 31, the freighter Julietta D.
BP, EnBW to Invest Billions if Bid for Scottish Offshore Wind Lease Successful
British oil major BP and the German renewables firm EnBW submitted their bid for offshore wind acreage in the ScotWind leasing round, looking to secure the rights for a lease area off the east coast of Scotland that could support offshore wind projects with 2.9 gigawatts (GW) generating capacity.The seabed round in which firms apply for the license to build wind farms has attracted the interest of both "traditional" renewables giants such as Iberdrola, Orsted, Ocean Winds, and Vattenfall…
Boskalis Delivers HKZ Beta Substation to Tennet
Dutch marine services company Boskalis has delivered the Hollandse Kust Zuid Beta substation topside to Tennet in the Netherlands after a long journey from Dubai, where it was built.This is the second High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) offshore transformer station topside, built by Petrofac and Drydocks World Dubai for the Dutch-German transmission grid operator TenneT.The 700 MW Beta topside weighs 3,950 tonnes. It was shipped to the Dutch North Sea aboard Boskalis' Mighty Servant 3 heavy lift and transportation vessel.
VIDEO: Jack-up Vessel Drops Turbine Blades Overboard at Vattenfall's Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm
MPI Offshore, an offshore installation service firm owned by Van Oord, last week accidentally dropped three wind turbine blades into the sea, while conducting scheduled maintenance at Vattenfall's Ormonde wind farm in the Irish Sea, off the UK.According to the Kingfisher incident report, MPI Offshore's MPI Adventure jack-up vessel last week jacked up alongside Ormonde B01 wind turbine and dropped three 61 m turbine blades weighing 126 tonnes in total, and a blade clamping tool weighing 3000-3100kg overboard.A notice to mariners dated October 18 said that the dropped items were in the water adjacent to MPI Adventure near the wind turbine generator B01…
UK Working on Roadmap to Decarbonize Offshore Wind Vessel Operations
The UK Government has tasked the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and the Workboat Association (WA) with the development of a Technology Roadmap, outlining a route to the decarbonization of North Sea offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M) vessels.The roadmap will consider key areas such as vessels, ports, and alternative fuels. As part of this engagement, ORE Catapult and the WA will undertake one-to-one interviews and focus groups with a wide range of stakeholders…
Vattenfall Awards Van Oord a 4-Year Offshore Wind Contract
Offshore wind developer Vattenfall has awarded the Dutch-based offshore installation contractor Van Oord a 4-year operations & maintenance (O&M) contract.Working through its MPI Offshore organization, Van Oord will provide jack-up and associated lifting services for main component exchanges across Vattenfall’s portfolio of offshore wind farms. Vattenfall, based in Sweden, has 10 offshore wind farms in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. During the contract period, Vattenfall's offshore portfolio will be extended to 622 turbines with a combined capacity of 2.6 GW.