Interview: Wikinger Substation Platform Construction Underway

In December last year, Iberdrola awarded a €160 million contract to Spanish shipbuilding firm, Navantia, for work on Germany’s 350MW Wikinger offshore wind project.

The contract, which comprises fabrication of 29 jacket foundations and two substation platforms, represents Navantia’s formal entry into the offshore wind sector.

Offshore WIND spoke to Abel Mendez Diaz, the company’s wind business commercial manager, about the project, its progress and Navantia’s plans for the offshore wind industry.

OW: First of all, can you tell us how important this contract is for your company?

Mendez Diaz: Navantia is a company experienced in Offshore having delivered 19 floating production systems for the Oil & Gas sector for rough and mild environments, but these are our first contracts in the offshore wind sector and they have changed the way in which the industry and the clients perceive us.

Since Wikinger, we are participating in every similar tender coming out to the market, and the fabrication period will be an excellent window to demonstrate our capacity to contribute to this sector.

OW: Has the fabrication of the jacket foundations and substation platforms begun?

Mendez Diaz: The fabrication of the substation platforms has already started, and is progressing rapidly. Regarding the jackets, we have received the first materials in the beginning of May, and prefabrication has started to a shop level, but will not see the erection of the first jacket until the end of September.

OW: As we understand, Navantia is also in charge of an on-site installation of the offshore substation platforms. Which vessels will be utilised for this operation, and when can we expect it to take place?

Mendez Diaz: Navantia is responsible of the commissioning activities for the offshore substations, and therefore responsible of coordinating the transfer of materials and personnel from the offshore base in Sassnitz. We shall involve and offshore accommodation vessel, boats for daily transfer of personnel and helicopter lifts. However, we cannot disclose details of this operation yet, as we are still under negotiations with potential suppliers.

OW: Considering that Bladt was awarded the production of 41 foundations for the project three months after Navantia signed this contract, is there a reason Navantia was not contracted for a greater portion of Wikinger project?

Mendez Diaz: The contracting strategy of the Wikinger project was ruled by Iberdrola. The client decided to split the jacket package in two parts, and Navantia presented offers for each package. As far as we know, selection of the preferred tenderer for each package was decided at the same time on a competitive basis.

OW: What are your plans for the offshore wind industry? Which market holds the most potential for your company?

Mendez Diaz: Navantia has devoted its two biggest yards to offshore wind: Fene, in the North West of Spain, with 1 million square meters, and Puerto Real (Cadiz) in the South of Spain, with 1.2 million square meters, and we have short and long-term plans for this market.

Regarding jacket foundations, our objective is to provide continuity to the Wikinger project. We are under the impression that for the moment, the industry has not been able to implement a true serial jacket fabrication chain, but only to perform multiple fabrications. We have applied Navantia standards and lean production techniques to jacket fabrication, and have developed proprietary robotic technology for the fabrication of repetitive elements to increase our competitiveness.

We also have a strong interest in floating foundations, which are even more demanding in terms of facilities than jacket construction. Being also shipyards, Navantia has the right sort of background to become a partner in this market.

Regarding substation platforms, in the short term we aim to provide continuity to Wikinger contracting another platform. In the medium term we have the target of contracting one large HVDC platform.

We have facilities in both yards which allow the fabrication of large structures. In Puerto Real we have the biggest drydock in Europe 500x 100 m, with 1200 t lifting capacity. In FENE, we have slipways capable of accommodating structures of 400x 110m and covered by 800 t Goliath cranes.

OW: Being also a shipyard, do you see yourself entering offshore wind vessels market?

Mendez Diaz: Regarding installation ships or similar, we also have interest and capacity. We are currently fabricating one large DP3 support and accommodation vessel for Pemex, and are willing to contribute with fabrication proposals for offshore wind applications as well.

OW: Can you tell us something about Spanish offshore wind market? Do you see many opportunities there?

Mendez Diaz: Except in some areas, Spain has a short continental platform which is not suitable for large fixed foundations developments. However, there is great potential for floating solutions, and there is fantastic wave resource. Taking into consideration the background of companies such as Iberdrola, Repsol and EDPr, we are of the idea that in the coming years we shall see floating projects off the coast of Spain.

Interview brought to you by Adrijana Buljan and Armin Fazlić, Offshore WIND staff.

Images: Navantia