A steel cutting ceremony at Sembcorp Marine’s yard in Batam, Indonesia, has marked the start of fabrication of the offshore converter platform for RWE’s 1400MW Sofia offshore wind farm, which will be built off east England.
Fabrication, comprising a 10,000-tonne topside and 7000-tonne foundation, will be completed and ready for installation in 2024.
A consortium of Sembcorp and GE Renewable Energy’s grid solutions business are supplying the HVDC system.
RWE offshore wind chief executive Sven Utermoehlen said: “The offshore converter station sitting at the heart of the wind farm will be one of the most powerful ever installed – so this means that you are now starting on what will be a historical construction effort.
“Each day on site it will also be about working together – remembering at all times the importance of maintaining and ensuring the safety of all.”
Sofia project director Matthew Swanwick said: “This is an innovative and awe-inspiring piece of kit but key to the successful construction will be you all – the people – and at the end of the day, our project will be measured on how we have kept people safe.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you all to keep focus on both your own safety, and that of those around you. As we all want to be able to enjoy tomorrow.”