The first 10 operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel for the Dudgeon offshore wind farm project have moved on site at Berth 9 on the River Yare within the port of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.
The team will work out of temporary office accommodation while work progresses to complete the conversion of an existing warehouse to create the project’s dedicated O&M base.
The team’s main task is to establish the onshore operations base, carry out further recruitment for the operations organisation and provide onshore logistic and operational support to the offshore wind farm construction team, which is expected to begin the installation process in March 2016.
The conversion by East Anglian builders RG Carter is expected to be finished by the summer of 2016.
The Dudgeon O&M team will grow to 30-35 persons working onshore and supporting the 35-40 technicians working offshore.
Dudgeon operations manager Rune Rønvik said: “I am very pleased to be established in Great Yarmouth, and that we have reached this important stage of the project.
“It is a significant step for Statoil as an offshore wind farm operator, and we are looking forward to developing good relationships with the public, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the local business community, who we will be co-operating with for the next 25 years.”
Project developer Statoil plans over the next 12 months to recruit 30 permanent positions filling the roles of engineers, control room operators, planners and wind turbine technicians, plus eight temporary positions relating to the project phase – site managers and marine co-ordinators.
In addition, the company will be inviting tenders for local services to support activities both at the base and offshore. All employment opportunities will be posted on the Dudgeon website.
Image: VBMS carrying out drilling work for the Dudgeon project (VBMS)
