Keppel German Offshore Wind Newbuild
Keppel Verolme BV (Keppel Verolme) and consortium partner AREVA Energietechnik GmbH, a German subsidiary of French energy company AREVA, have secured an $82.5m contract from Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy GmbH (Wetfeet Offshore) to build a Mobile Offshore Application Barge (MOAB) for a new offshore wind farm in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea. This self-erecting floating platform will be deployed at the Global Tech I Wind Farm that is being built and operated by Wetfeet Offshore. Utilizing the patent-pending solution of AREVA Offshore Platform, the MOAB will host the transformers and high voltage switchgears to collect and convert electricity generated by the wind turbines for delivery to Germany’s national power grid. It is also equipped with critical control systems to serve as a backup power supply for the wind farm in case of emergencies. This customised solution combines the well-proven and state-of-the-art technologies from the oil & gas and electro-technical businesses.
Harold Linssen, Managing Director of Keppel Verolme in The Netherlands, said, “We are very pleased to participate in the prestigious Global Tech I wind farm. This latest contract marks Keppel’s successful entry into the offshore wind energy business, and affirms Wetfeet Offshore’s confidence in our ability with AREVA to deliver the best solution for the job. “Germany aims to raise its percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy sources to at least 20% by 2020 and 50% by 2050. A major element in achieving this target is to further develop the capacity of its offshore wind sector.”
The Global Tech I wind farm will be located about 110km northwest of Cuxhaven (Germany) in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea consisting of 80 5-Megawatt (MW) class wind turbines. When fully operational in 2013, this wind farm will be capable to generate some 1.4 billion kilowatthours (kWh) of electrical energy annually, supplying one million people with clean energy. It is also expected to help cut some 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. MOAB will provide permanent accommodation for up to 32 personnel operating the wind farm. By serving both energy transmission and wind farm maintenance functions, MOAB helps to enhance the operational reliability and efficiency of Global Tech I, contributing overall to a greener environment.
Keppel Verolme will carry out the detailed engineering and construction work on this new platform designed by Overdick GmbH & Co, while AREVA designs, fabricates and installs the transformers and other high voltage equipment. The vessel is targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2011.
