Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy, a Finnish-based wind power production company, has used a SyncHoist load positioning system from Enerpac Heavy Lifting Technology for the installation of gravity base foundations at the Tahkoluoto offshore wind farm in Pori, Finland.
Following the seabed preparations to provide a level surface, the ten hollow gravity base foundations weighing up to 500 tonnes were installed .
During lowering through the splash-zone and positioning on the seabed, the SyncHoist system was used below the crane hook to ensure the foundation remained as close to vertical as possible. This prevented damage to the levelled seabed surface and facilitated the subsequent addition of the turbine tower, the company said.
“SyncHoist made the job of installing the gravity base foundations a good deal easier than using a tailor-made levelling system. The first foundation took 12 hours to install, later foundations took 8 hours as the installation team became more proficient,” said Xavier DeMeulder , Marine Operations Manager at Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy.
The 42MW Tahkoluoto offshore wind farm is the world’s first offshore wind farm designed for operation in icy conditions.
The wind farm’s ten Siemens 4.2MW wind turbines have recently been put into operation .