The installation of 116 foundations has been completed on schedule at Eon’s 400MW Rampion offshore wind farm off England’s Sussex coast.
Work to install the first foundations began in early February and was put on hold, as planned, during the Black Bream spawning season between mid-April and July.
Since then two jack-ups – the MPI Discovery and Pacific Orca – installed the foundations using a 1000-tonne crane to lift each foundation upright before lowering and piling it into the seabed with a hydraulic hammer.
The yellow transition pieces have also been fitted onto the foundations and sit approximately 20 metres above sea level ready to hold the turbines.
Installation of MHI Vestas 3.45MW turbines is due to commence in spring and continue throughout 2017.
Work will also continue to progress on the offshore cabling and substation. The project is due to be completed and fully operational in 2018.
Eon development and stakeholder manager for Rampion Chris Tomlinson said: “Despite the adverse weather at the start of the year, the good autumnal weather conditions have enabled us to finish this phase of work ahead of winter, which is testament to the commitment of the construction team.”
Image: Rampion (Partrac)
