The installation phase of the 14 MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbines at the Moray West offshore wind farm in Scotland is scheduled to begin in April. This development follows the arrival of Cadeler’s Wind Orca vessel in Esbjerg, Denmark, from the Netherlands where it underwent a crane upgrade in preparation for commencing work on the project.
The installation process of wind turbines
According to the latest statement from the Moray West team, dated March 18, the installation phase of the turbines is expected to take place between April and October of this year. This wind farm, which is being developed by Ocean Winds, will have 60 wind turbines and will mark the first use of Siemens Gamesa’s SG 14-222 DD model, with capacity increased to 14.7 MW per turbine thanks to the PowerBoost function.
[post_relacionado]The Wind Orca, a Cadeler self-elevating vessel, was sent to Schiedam, the Netherlands, for a crane upgrade, which has now been completed. This contract, set to expire in 2022, included the installation of the 60 Siemens Gamesa units by Wind Orca at Moray West. GustoMSC was contracted to design and manufacture the new cranes, with Semco Maritime making the necessary modifications to the vessels to increase the capacity of the main crane.
Mammoet supported the installation of the cranes, which now have a capacity of 1,600 tons, suitable for the new generation wind turbines.
Importantly, Cadeler highlighted that, after upgrading to a 1,600-ton crane and passing the corresponding tests, the Wind Orca is ready for the installation of wind turbines up to 20 MW, positioning itself as a key player in the wind industry with its state-of-the-art equipment. The ship, which sailed from Schiedam on March 15, arrived in Esbjerg three days later.
More details of the Moray West project
The project also includes the installation of the foundations, with 15 monopiles and 50 transition pieces (TP) still to be installed. Seaway7 is in charge of the installation of the cabling between the assemblies, while DEME is in charge of the foundations, and Boskalis has already completed its participation in the project.
Siemens Gamesa has also made progress in the production of turbine components for Moray West, including the first 108-meter-long blades and the first 14 MW nacelles. The port of Nigg, Scotland, has been selected for the preparation and pre-assembly of the turbines, as well as for the installation of the PTs.
The 882 MW wind farm, located about 22.5 km off the coast of Caithness, is expected to start generating power this year and reach full capacity in 2025, providing electricity to approximately 650,000 homes in Scotland for 25 years.
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Source: offshorewind.biz
Photo: shutterstock