Petrofac and GE to Build Substations for Galloper OWF

Petrofac and GE have won a contract worth over GBP 110 million to engineer, construct and install onshore and offshore electrical substations for the 336 MW Galloper offshore wind farm off the coast of Suffolk, UK.

Petrofac will provide topside and jacket foundation designs, fabrication, transport and installation of the offshore substation and offshore logistics to support hook up and commissioning, while GE will provide overall electrical system design in addition to:

• Onshore and offshore substation equipment and all related power transformers and gas insulated switchgear at 132kV and 33kV;
• Two Static Var Compensators, each connected to the grid by its own power transformer, which will provide dynamic voltage support to ensure grid code compliance, a stabilized power supply and strengthened transmission grid to ensure efficient connection of the new wind farm to the British transmission system;
• Protection and control for the safe operation of the wind farm including the telecommunications needed between the onshore and offshore substations and the wider network; and
• All ancillary and supporting electrical equipment such as auxiliary and earthing transformers, battery systems, back-up generators and low voltage systems.

The contract was awarded by Galloper Wind Farm Ltd (GWFL) with the goal of helping meet the UK’s goal of generating 15 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Toby Edmonds, Project Director, GWFL, said: “Once constructed Galloper Offshore Wind Farm will be capable of generating enough clean energy to meet the needs of over 330,000 homes. We’re delighted to have GE & Petrofac on-board with their excellent experience and expertise in the building and delivery of major electrical components. We look forward to continuing our work with them to realise the successful completion of the wind farm.”

The project is now fully underway. Construction will continue through 2016 with the offshore substation scheduled to be installed in 2017. The wind farm is expected to commence operations in March 2018.

GWFL is a joint equity partnership of 25% each between RWE Innogy UK, UK Green Investment Bank, Siemens Financial Services and Macquarie Capital.