Iberdrola-owned Ailes Marines has wrapped up the first phase of construction on the 496MW Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm off northern France.
The developer said since starting drilling on 3 May, it has drilled 19 pin pile holes at five turbine locations.
Three-quarters of these reached the desired depth, with pin piles installed at two turbine foundation locations and at the project’s substation.
The developer said it encountered “extremely hard rock such as sandstone” in the northern part of the array, which is where it’s work was focused this year.
Jack-up vessel Aeolus will leave the site as soon as a favourable weather window allows, Ailes Marines said.
The developer also progressed trenching and boulder clearance work during what is the first of three construction windows.
The build will restart on 1 March next year, added the Iberdrola company.
“The resumption of work will be framed by a prefectural decree. In 2022, Ailes Marines will install the piles and cables, install the jackets foundations and the electrical substation,” stated Ailes Marines.
The wind farm, featuring 62 Siemens Gamesa 8MW turbines, is due online in 2023.