Last night, A2SEA’s Sea Installer completed the installation of 32 MHI Vestas 8MW turbines at DONG Energy’s Burbo Bank Extension in the Irish Sea.
At 8:25PM GMT yesterday, the final blade on turbine 32 at Burbo Bank Extension was lifted into place. The 258MW wind farm off the coast of Liverpool, UK represents the first offshore project to utilise what is currently the world’s most powerful wind turbine.
COO of MHI Vestas, Flemming Ougaard , said: “I am proud of the commitment and excellent work of the entire installation team at MHI Vestas and the team from A2Sea and DONG Energy who worked with us on this project. Now our focus turns to the commissioning of the turbines and bringing them into full operation, prior to handing the project over to DONG Energy.”
The wind farm is expected to be fully commissioned in Q1 2017.
“We are delighted at the completion of this major milestone in the project. It follows on from first power generation in November. This is the first time the 8MW turbines have been installed offshore, so it is an exciting time for the entire industry. By using more powerful turbines we are able to bring down the cost of providing clean, renewable energy to homes around the UK,” said Claus Bøjle Møller , Project Director at DONG Energy.
Burbo Bank Extension is owned by DONG Energy (50%) and its partners PKA (25%) and KIRKBI A/S (25%). The wind farm is situated 7 km off the coast of Liverpool Bay.
Jens Frederik Hansen , CEO at A2SEA. “The installation was completed safely, and in accordance with the installation plan thanks to the well-planned and professional co-operation with our partners on the project, MHI Vestas and DONG Energy. Furthermore, I am very proud of the excellent work performed by all our dedicated employees both onshore and offshore. They make the difference.”
Sea Installer’s next project is turbine installation on DONG Energy’s 580MW Race Bank, planned to start in early May 2017.