Operations at Equinor’s 30MW Hywind Scotland floating offshore wind farm will be interrupted for up to four months this year to undertake “heavy maintenance” to turbines.
The Norwegian developer said operational data has revealed the need for work to the Siemens Gamesa machines, which have been spinning off Aberdeen for the last seven years.
Turbines will be towed to Wergeland port in Norway during the summer where the Wergeland group in Gulen will undertake the work.
“From operational data, we have identified the need for heavy maintenance on the wind farm turbines. This is the first such operation for a floating farm and the safest method to do this is to tow the turbines to shore and execute the operations in sheltered conditions,” said an Equinor spokesperson.
“We will do this during the upcoming summer season and it is expected to take three to four months.
“We have awarded the contract for the onshore works to the Wergeland group in Gulen, Norway. Wergeland is the closest port with offshore wind experience and sufficient water depth that can service these turbines.”
He added the work will be done in close collaboration with the turbine supplier Siemens Gamesa.
Equinor added: “Hywind Scotland is a break-through pilot project as the first ever floating wind farm. For the past six to seven years, it has been operational with high capacity factors.”