The first suction bucket jacket foundation has been installed at Vattenfall’s 92.4MW Aberdeen Bay wind farm off Scotland.
Balance of plant contractor Boskalis installed the maiden Smulders-made foundation on Sunday from construction port Peterhead in just 15 hours, Vattenfall said.
Dutch outfit SPT Offshore is overseeing suction operations with crane vessel Asian Hercules 3 lifting the jacket into place for the project, which is also known as the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC).
Aberdeen Bay project manager Adam Ezzamel said: “The first installation of the suction bucket foundations is a major accomplishment for the EOWDC project team, our contractors and the offshore wind industry.
“By enabling faster and smarter installation, the technology will drive down offshore wind costs considerably, provide a further foundation option at challenging sites, whilst also allowing an easier and complete decommissioning.”
Eleven MHI Vestas 8.4MW turbines are due to be spinning in the summer.
Image: Vattenfall
Foundation first at Aberdeen Bay
By EBS