Equinor and Masdar have awarded Global Maritime the operational management contract to support the maintenance works of the 30MW Hywind Scotland floating wind farm.
The contract includes project management, engineering and supporting in the delivery of the offshore operations for the preparatory works, inter array cable and mooring disconnection & lay down.
Also part of the scope is the tow to Wergeland Norway, assembly site coordination and return to site for hook-up.
Hywind Scotland (pictured) is situated 25 kilometres off the coast of Peterhead, and consists of five Siemens Gamesa 6MW turbines.
Having been operational since 2017, Equinor has identified the need for major maintenance on the turbines, marking the world’s first for such an operation for a spar floating wind farm.
The turbines will be disconnected and towed to Wergeland port in Gulen, Norway, to service the turbines.
This method ensures the safest operation within sheltered conditions, Global Maritime said.
Planning work has already commenced, with operations due to start later this year, and all five turbines returned to full operation by the end of summer 2024.
Mats Olsvik, Global Maritime’s chief executive officer and Hywind Scotland project manager, said: “We are very proud that we have been entrusted with this important scope by Equinor and Masdar.
“This campaign will offer invaluable experience and insights, contributing to the enhancement of safe and efficient operations in offshore floating wind projects.
“It puts GM in a solid position to lead in future fully integrated marine operations for offshore wind projects.
“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with Equinor and are committed to ensuring the success of the project alongside the other contractors.”