Hollandse Kust Zuid 3&4 UXO-Free

UXOcontrol has completed the unexploded ordnance (UXO) identification and disposal campaign at the Hollandse Kust Zuid 3 and 4 offshore wind project in the Netherlands.

The campaign, which ran from early February till July, saw a total of 1,350 targets investigated, with 19 being highlighted as UXOs for neutralisation.

Work began with Noordhoek Pathfinder as the offshore ID vessel utilising a Triton XLX ROV with a TSS 440 to enable detection of the UXOs and 6” ROV Dredge pump for uncovering the targets for identification.

After a short break, the operations continued using the EDT Hercules and a Schilling HD ROV equipped with the TSS 440 and 6” ROV Dredge.

During the project, UXOcontrol worked with the Royal Dutch Navy to assist with uncovering and clearing the UXOs so the Navy could conduct safe detonation.

To remind, Vattenfall was awarded the contract to build Hollandse Kust Zuid after winning two subsidy-free tenders in 2018 and 2019 for Hollandse Kust Zuid 1 & 2 and Hollandse Kust Zuid 3 & 4, respectively. The two projects were later combined into one to optimise the development process.

In July last year, UXOcontrol was appointed to carry out UXO inspection and identification campaigns on all four sites.

Activities at Hollandse Kust Zuid 1 and 2 were completed in November 2020.

The Hollandse Kust Zuid project will comprise up to 140 Siemens Gamesa 11 MW turbines. Once up and running in 2023, it will become the largest offshore wind farm in the Netherlands.