jws01us posted on 7/29/2010
Under a joint venture, Keppel FELS and Seafox Group will build and own a $220 million wind turbine installation vessel based on Keppel's multi-purpose self-elevating platform (MPSEP) design. The new generation design can operate all year round in 65m of water in the North Sea, Keppel FELS said 29 July 2010.
The new vessel is designed to withstand harsh offshore weather conditions, reducing downtime even in extreme storm conditions and prolonging the operational window. The vessel will be able to carry up to 12 turbines at a time, and will operate in waters 45% deeper than those of existing wind turbine installation vessels. The new vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2H 2012, will be named Seafox 5.
Keppel FELS and Seafox formed a 75/25 joint venture company; Seafox has the option of obtaining Keppel's stake in the company. Workfox BV, a member of the Seafox Group, will own and operate the vessel.
The MPSEP Seafox 5 can install and maintain heavy wind turbine foundations in deeper waters than existing vessels, Keppel notes.
As part of its goal of delivering 15% of the UK's electricity needs by 2020 through offshore wind energy, the UK intends to install 8000 offshore wind turbines in the next decade; 2700 turbines will be installed in over 45m of water in the Central North Sea, where wind speeds are higher and constant, creating a need for heavier wind turbines with larger capacities.
By: Alexandra Rowan,
ARowan@oilonline.com