Norwegian energy giant Equinor has signed up compatriot company Kvaerner to study the design and construction of floating concrete substructures for the 88MW Hywind Tampen offshore wind project off Norway.
The aim of the front-end engineering and design assignment is to further mature the design of the substructures and to identify appropriate construction sites,Kvaerner said.
It will also develop a plan for construction, method and cost for production of 11 floating concrete substructures.
The company has provided full scope of engineering, procurement, construction and installation for both fixed and floating platforms in the oil and gas sector and has identified offshore wind as a growth area.
Kvaerner senior vice president renewables Peder Christian Melleby said: “Another important part of the FEED contract is to establish an improvement agenda that targets cost and schedule drivers with the purpose of establishing the safest and most cost-efficient concept for project execution.
“This is a good match for the continuous cost and schedule improvement programmes Kvaerner has implemented over the past four-five years.
Kvaerner will deliver its report on 1 April and will manage the project out of its Oslo headquarters.
Hywind Tampen will comprise 11 floating turbines with individual capacity of 8MW to provide electricity to meet about 35% of the power demand at five oil and gas platforms – Snorre A and B, and Gullfaks A, B and C.