Statoil lays Dudgeon foundation

Statoil has installed the first foundation at its 402MW Dudgeon offshore wind farm in the east of England.

Seaway Heavy Lifting vessel Oleg Strashnov undertook the milestone operation 32km from the coastal town of Cromer in Norfolk. 

In total, 67 turbines will be installed as part of the £1.5bn project as well as a 1,000-ton offshore substation.

“Our team and suppliers have worked hard to prepare for the exciting installation phase and we are pleased to progress according to plan,” said Olav-Bernt Haga, project director for the Dudgeon project.

Statoil’s senior vice president for offshore wind Stephen Bull said: “For Statoil, this project more than doubles our total installed offshore wind energy production capacity. Dudgeon strengthens and confirms Statoil’s strategic ambition of industrial growth in offshore wind, as a key part of our efforts to gradually complement the oil and gas portfolio with profitable renewable energy.”

The project is currently preparing its operations and maintenance base in Great Yarmouth.

Statoil is the operator in the development, start-up and operations phases. Co-owners are Statkraft and Masdar. Dudgeon is slated for completion in 2017.

Image: Dudgeon’s first foundation (Statoil)