The arrival of the Nordnes vessel at the site of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm marks the beginning of construction for the project located 17km from the shore of North Norfolk. According to a 9 March 2010 announcement, the vessel will use a precision technique to place small rocks around 77 of the 90 foundation locations in a circular pattern to reduce the possibility of scour as well as protect the soon to be installed cables. Scour occours when the water flow patterns change and cause a lowering of the seabed surrounding marine structures.
Dutch company Van Oord has been contracted to carry out the work, which will be done in two phases. In the second phase, larger rocks will be placed in the same pattern after all the foundations and cables have been installed. 'This work will prepare the site for the arrival of the first foundation for installation at the end of next month. Each foundation is made to individual specifications and will be between 50 and 55 metres long, with a 4.2-5.2m diameter and weighing from 400 to 600 tonnes,' says project director Rune Runic.
The Nordnes will work at the site until 18 March 2010, when it returns to Norway to pick up its second load of rocks. The vessel is then to return to site until March 30 when it docks for annual service. The final rock placement work will be completed around early June.
The wind farm will generate about 1.1 TWh. It is owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft through the joint venture company Scira Offshore Energy Limited. Statoil is the operator for the project during the development phase. Scira will be the operator of the wind farm.
by: Trevor Demara,
tdemara@oilonline.com
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