Boulder clearance vessel switch at Neart na Gaoithe wind farm

Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm Ltd. (NnGOWL) is set to replace the current boulder clearance vessel Sartor with Sar Frame at the 450 MW UK offshore wind project.

Sartor will be replaced week commencing 28 June, at the earliest, by Sar Fame which will undertake the remaining boulder relocation operations in preparation for inter-array cable installation.

The boulder relocation works commenced on 2 April, and the remaining activities are expected to last approximately four months, until 30 September, weather dependent.

Sar Fame will be undertaking boulder relocation using a subsea MultiTool remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a grab. Boulders will be relocated a short distance from their existing position only.

Neart na Gaoithe, located some 15 kilometers off the Fife coast in Scotland, will comprise 54 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines.

The 450 MW project entered the offshore construction phase in August 2020, with full commissioning scheduled for 2023.