The first crew transfer vessel (CTV), the Severn Provider, departed from the Galloper Offshore Construction Base in Lowestoft on 19 December.
The Damen Twin Axe CTV’s departure was part of the preparation ahead of offshore foundation work starting at the 336MW wind farm being built off the coast of Suffolk.
CTV’s will become a regular sight from the ABP base at Lowestoft as offshore construction ramps up over the next few months, Galloper Wind Farm Limited (GWFL) said.
The 26-metre Severn Provider is capable of carrying up to 15 tonnes of deck cargo, and is equipped to deal with emergency situations during the construction phase.
It will be managed by up to four crew and supported by the onshore team at the Offshore Construction Base, Marine Coordination Centre – the hub for all of the offshore activity during the construction of the Galloper offshore wind farm.
James Fisher and Sons plc are providing the offshore and marine services during the construction of Galloper. The company is responsible for offshore construction site set-up; marine co-ordination, marine management system, crew transfer vessels, vessel refuelling and emergency response services.
CTV’s will journey to and from the Galloper base on a daily basis from now until early 2018. The trips are being planned with the Port of Lowestoft to avoid peak traffic times where ever possible.
The Galloper project represents an expected investment potential of around GBP 1.5 billion and once operational it is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site will be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of around 336,000 average UK households.
innogy SE is leading its development and construction on behalf of the project partners, UK Green Investment Bank (GIB), Siemens Financial Services and Macquarie Capital.