Innogy has opened the operations and maintenance base for its 353MW Galloper wind farm off Suffolk.
The £10m hub is located in Harwich International Port in Essex and features offices, a 24/7 wind farm control room, a pontoon for project vessel and warehousing space. There is also a gym and canteen for staff.
The new base will be used to maintain the project’s 56 6.3MW Siemens Gamesa turbines, which were previously serviced from a temporary base in Harwich.
Tendring District Council gave planning permission for the new base in in September 2018.
“It is fantastic to start to the new year working from the new operations and maintenance facility,” Galloper general manager Guy Middleton said.
“The technology, facilities and infrastructure will support our sixty-strong team to effectively manage the operation and maintenance of the Wind Farm”.
Ipswich-based R G Carter Southern designed the facility, which was built by Jackson Civil Engineering Group and Farrans Construction.
Innogy said the construction of the base had created 120 jobs.
“This is a shining example of how the offshore renewables industry is providing skilled and valuable job opportunities for local people, both in the short and long term,” Middleton added.