UK: Fugro Installs Rampion Met Mast

Fugro Seacore played a key role in the planning works for the proposed Rampion Offshore Wind Farm in the English Channel by installing the metrological mast 13km from the port of Shoreham-on-Sea, and acting as EPC contractor for the project. Delivery, installation and commissioning were successfully carried out, and the mast is currently recording data for the E.ON Climate and Renewables team.

“Ours was a true ‘one-stop-shop’ solution for E.ON, as we designed, built and installed the mast with our owner-operated equipment and specialist crew, drawing on our previous experience and expertise of met mast design, build and installation work,” explains Bob Jenkins, Managing Director of Fugro Seacore. “This was the first major onsite work to be carried out on the wind farm site.”

The works included the installation of a lattice tower structure (the top of which was 110m above LAT) along with the associated telemetry and navigation aid systems. Fugro worked with a number of experienced subcontractors to design and fabricate the monopile and electronic systems.

The foundation comprises a 45.8m monopile which is 2.5m diameter and weighs 175 tons. A 10m-tall topside piece incorporating the main working platform was bolted to the monopile offshore. The pile was transported in one piece, including floatation bungs, to the mobilisation berth in Newhaven where Fugro Seacore’s jack-up barge, Excalibur, lifted the pile into the water.

Work was undertaken at a water depth of 19m, with a further 6m tidal range. The ground conditions were stiff to very stiff sandy clay and dense sands, with an upper gravel layer. Once Excalibur, which had full storm survival ability, was on site, the pile was towed out and lifted into the pile gates ready for driving using IHC’s S800 hammer.

Within three days of the pile lifting operation the external J-tube, access ladders, boat fenders, main platform and the 93m, tall lattice tower had been installed to complete the main structural works. Navigation aids were subsequently installed and commissioned, followed by the main telemetry system including anemometers, wind vanes and associated sensors.

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Fugro, October 2, 2012