UK: Two New Vessels to Join Sheringham Shoal Fleet

Two new vessels will join the growing fleet working on the site of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm today as the installation and commissioning of the 88 turbines progresses.

The 91m ‘SEA JACK ‘, a self-elevating platform vessel will combine forces with the already operational 76m ‘GMS Endeavour’ over the coming months and together they will continue to install the 132m tall Siemens wind turbines with the expected completion date in mid 2012.

Both vessels will collect components for two wind turbines at a time from Great Yarmouth and transport them to the wind farm site where they will place them on top of the already installed foundations. First the tower is positioned, followed by the nacelle which houses the electrical systems, and finally the three 52m blades. To date six turbines have been installed.

A second newcomer, the 87m ‘Toisa Warrior’ will arrive in the Greater Wash with the task of burying the infield cables, which connect the turbines in strings to the offshore substations. The cable-laying vessel ‘Team Oman’ has been installing the infield cables since earlier this year and they will now be placed under the seabed via a water jetting technology.

The system used, known as MODUS, comprises a jetting machine controlled remotely from the vessel that will jet pressurised water into the sea floor beside the cables enabling them to sink safely into the seabed. Sheringham Shoal contractor, power cable installation specialists Visser & Smit Marine Contracting, will carry out the operation.

General Manager of wind farm operator Scira Offshore Energy, Mr Einar Strømsvåg said the two new vessels join a growing list of massive vessels that have worked on constructing the 317MW wind farm.

 ”It is a real team effort, with vessels and skilled specialists from around the world joining forces to complete the installation of the offshore wind farm,” Mr Strømsvåg said.

Sheringham Shoal is owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft through the joint venture company Scira Offshore Energy Limited. Statoil is the manager of Scira during the construction phase, while Scira will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the wind farm.