Seajacks’ wind farm installation vessel, Seajacks Scylla , has arrived in Belfast and is being loaded with the first batch of turbine components to be installed at the 659MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm, DONG Energy told Offshore WIND.
“Seajacks Scylla arrived at the Walney Extension feeding harbour in Belfast on time and loading is progressing as planned. We expect installation of the first MHI Vestas 8.25 MW turbine to begin over the coming week,” Andrew Cotterell , Walney Extension programme director, said.
Walney Extension will consist of 40 8.25MW MHI Vestas and 47 7MW Siemens wind turbines, as well as two offshore substations, installed some 19 kilometres off the Cumbrian coast. Seajacks Scylla will install all 87 wind turbine units at the wind farm.
The turbine components and foundations, which are currently being installed , are being stored in Belfast and the construction is coordinated from the port of Barrow in Furness.
When fully commissioned in 2019, Walney Extension will become the world’s largest operating offshore wind farm.