Iberdrola has awarded Emden-based Northern HeliCopter GmbH (NHC) with a six-year contract for transport flights to the Wikinger offshore wind farm.
Flights will be executed on a call-off basis which allows Iberdrola to act as flexible as necessary. Ground handling and safety induction for up to 10 PAX per flight will be in the scope of NHC as well and take place at the airport of Güttin.
NHC, who has been providing air rescue services in the offshore wind sector in the German North Sea, widened its service portfolio with transport flights in early 2016.
Beside the dedicated rescue helicopters, NHC operates a fleet of three Airbus H155 helicopters for providing transport flights. The H155 will be used for operations at Wikinger.
“The 155’s high cruise speed of 150 mph helps us to reduce the total flight costs for our clients. This is especially very important for Iberdrola since we have to transfer the helicopter from our headquarter Emden to Güttin before we pick up the passenger and take them to the site,” said Frank Zabell , Managing Director of NHC.
The offshore wind farm, located approximately 75km off the Island of Rügen, will consist of 70 Adwen 5MW turbines and one offshore substation with a helideck.
The EUR 1.4 billion project is currently under construction and will be operated from the purpose-built O&M base in Mukran for at least 25 years.
Wikinger is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of this year.