Specialist Marine Consultants (SMC) has completed confined space and structural inspection works at the Gunfleet Sands Windfarm Offshore Substation.
The inspection was carried out on behalf of Transmission Investment and TC Gunfleet Sands OFTO Ltd.
SMC Operations Director, Dean Coates , said: “We were extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with Transmission Investment on this project and hope to continue to build on this relationship in the coming years. Our Inspection and Maintenance division has seen significant growth in recent years, and this is another important step as we continue to gain valuable experience in-field.”
Located some seven kilometres off the coast of Clacton-on-Sea in the United Kingdom, Gunfleet Sands consists of 48 3.6MW Siemens wind turbines with a total operating capacity of 172.8MW. SMC was previously involved with the project during the construction phase, working with the wind farm turbine assets owner, Ørsted (formerly DONG Energy).
“Transmission Investment have been impressed with the professionalism in both the preparation and execution,” Transmission Investment’s Asset Manager said.
”SMC’s strong foundation as Health and Safety consultants produced a comprehensive planning for the project. Along with experience and competency of the onsite personnel it all resulted in what could have been a challenging confined space project running very smoothly.”
Gunfleet Sands is owned by Ørsted (50.1%), JERA (24.95%), and the Development Bank of Japan (24.95%). The wind farm has been operating since August 2010.