Royal BAM Group has been awarded a contract for the Blyth Offshore Wind project by EDF Energy Renewables to design, fabricate and install five full-size gravity base foundations, first of their kind to be built in the world, according to the company.
The foundation design will utilise ‘self-installing’ technology, which has been developed by two BAM companies, BAM Nuttall and BAM Infra. The design is being undertaken by BAM Infraconsult.
The foundations will be built in the Neptune dry dock on the Tyne and will then be floated and sunk into position using tugs.
The project itself will be a demonstration project to prove the viability of this approach to installing gravity base foundations in the offshore environment for future wind farms. The project is due for completion during summer 2017.
Commenting on the award, BAM Nuttall’s Head of Civil Engineering Malcolm Corlett stated: “This is a very significant milestone not just for BAM but for the wider offshore wind sector. An opportunity to demonstrate the potential for self-installing concrete gravity bases to provide economic foundations for large wind turbines in deeper water. Following five years of intensive work refining our design and method of construction we now have a live project to demonstrate our technology and bring new skills and opportunity to the North East of England.”