BAM Bags Gravity Base Foundation Contract from EDF

BAM has been awarded a contract to design, fabricate and install five full-size gravity base foundations for wind turbines off the Northumberland coast, UK.

The contract has been awarded to BAM by EDF Energy Renewables via SPV Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Ltd.

The foundation design will utilize ‘self-installing’ technology, which has been developed by two BAM companies, BAM Nuttall and BAM Infra. The design is being undertaken by BAM Infraconsult.

According to the company, the project will be a demonstration project to prove the viability of this approach to installing gravity base foundations in the offshore environment for future wind farms.

All fabrication will be carried out locally in Newcastle on the River Tyne and the project is due for completion during summer 2017, the company added.

BAM Nuttall’s head of civil engineering Malcolm Corlett said: “This is a very significant milestone not just for BAM but for the wider offshore wind sector. An opportunity to demonstrate the potential for self-installing concrete gravity bases to provide economic foundations for large wind turbines in deeper water. Following five years of intensive work refining our design and method of construction we now have a live project to demonstrate our technology and bring new skills and opportunity to the North East of England.”