Aker Solutions has signed a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract with Empire Offshore Wind to study the design and delivery of concrete foundations of the wind turbine generators (WTGs) for its 816MW project off the coast of New York.
Empire Wind is being developed by Equinor and BP through their 50/50 strategic partnership in the US.
Aker Solutions will analyse how to design, construct and install concrete substructures standing on the seafloor to support the WTGs.
The scope also includes analysis of construction methods and models for marine operations to install the structures.
The company will use its track record from previous deliveries of concrete substructures to support the partnership in defining effective solutions for the Empire Wind project.
Aker Solutions’ front-end engineering work will also benefit several US-based partners and suppliers.
This includes construction company Kiewit Infrastructure and regulatory and permitting expert McLaren.
The FEED award for Empire Wind follows the completion of the pre-FEED won in 2019.
The work starts immediately and will be completed in August 2021.
Aker Solutions chief executive Kjetel Digre said: “In recent years, we have increased our activity within low-carbon and renewable energy projects, and offshore wind is a key growth area.
“Aker Solutions is already delivering concrete hulls to Equinor’s Hywind Tampen offshore floating wind project.
“We are pleased to see that the Empire Wind development is considering using proven concrete technology, and that we can contribute with our expertise.”