Giant crane begins laying foundations for offshore wind turbines
A giant floating crane has successfully installed the first of the foundations for an offshore wind farm that will be home to the world’s most powerful turbines.
The Vattenfall European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay is the first commercial project to use a new style of foundations – each of which weigh almost as much as ten Boeing 747 aircraft.
The 1,800 tonne suction bucket jacket foundations can be installed within hours and virtually with no noise, according to the company.
Once the giant upturned bucket foundations are embedded on to the seabed, they then create a secure base for the world’s most powerful wind turbines to be installed on them later this spring.
US president Donald Trump opposed the offshore wind farm development on because he believes it will spoil the view from the Trump International Golf Links at Menie, north of Aberdeen.
The 25,000 tonne Aisan Hercules III crane, which has a lifting capacity of up to 5,000 tonnes, installed the first of the structures in Aberdeen Bay on Sunday. Adam Ezzamel, EOWDC project director for Vattenfall, said: “The first installation of the suction bucket foundations is a major accomplishment for the EOWDC project team, our contractors and the offshore wind industry.
“Suction bucket jacket foundations – which can each be installed with a single offshore lift, virtually without noise and within a matter of hours – bring considerable environmental benefits.
“They are lowered into the water where the upturned buckets are rapidly embedded into the seabed to create a secure foundation for installation of the world’s most powerful wind turbine later this spring.”
He added: “By enabling faster and smarter installation, thetechnologywilldrivedown offshore wind costs considerably, provide a further foundation option at challenging sites, whilst also allowing an easier and complete decommissioning.
“These foundations are the first visible structures offshore for the EOWDC which we hope will go some way to help establish the North-east
0 The Aisan Hercules III crane has installed the first part of the offshore wind farm in Aberdeen Bay as a centre for offshore wind innovation.”
Gunnar Groebler, Vattenfall’s senior vice-president of business area wind, said: “The EOWDC is a cornerstone of Vattenfall’s and the industry’s drive for innovative cost reduction in offshore wind.
“To be fossil free within one generation a climate smart offshore wind programme embracing science and technology is really important for Vattenfall.
“Where appropriate, we are keen to see the EOWDC’S novel approach to foundations along with all its other innovations – rolled out to the rest of the industry.”