Kværner orders slipform systems for Hywind Tampen floating wind farm

Kværner has selected German engineering company Dominion for the design, supply, and supervision services for the slipform systems that will erect the concrete wind towers for the Hywind Tampen floating wind project.

Dominion said its cylindrical and conical sets of slipform systems can be used multiple times and include hydraulic jacking system, formwork material, yokes and required decks.

“Concrete is poured continuously, 24/7 if necessary, into a single form that is steadily elevated to create the designed form. This technology features low manpower needs, safe and fast execution”, the company said via social media.

Kværner, which merged with Aker Solutions last year, is in charge of the engineering, procurement, and construction of the floating concrete substructures for Hywind Tampen under a contract worth around NOK 1.5 billion (approx. EUR 146 million). The company will also deliver marine operations in a 50/50 joint venture with DOF Subsea. 

The fabrication work started in October 2020 with the cutting of the first sheet of steel at Kværner Stord in Norway.

Developed by Equinor, together with its Snorre and Gullfaks partners, the 88 MW Hywind Tampen floating wind farm will be the first of its kind to power oil & gas platforms. Eleven Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines are expected to cover about 35 per cent of the annual power needs on the five platforms Snorre A and B and Gullfaks A, B and C in the Norwegian North Sea.

Located about 140 kilometres off the Norwegian coast in water depths of between 260 and 300 metres, Hywind Tampen will reduce emissions from the Gullfaks and Snorre fields by more than 200,000 tonnes per year, once it is operational in 2022.