Iberdrola has paused foundation work at its 496MW Saint-Brieuc wind farm off Brittany, France, after jack-up Aeolus encountered a “technical problem”.
The company said the issue resulted in the flow of hydraulic fluid used in the guide systems of the drill rigs while the Van Oord vessel was drilling a second set of boreholes as part of a piling campaign.
The Panolin HLP SYNTH fluid is biodegradable and considered one of the most environmentally friendly, added a statement.
Iberdrola said it takes all environmental matters “very seriously”.
“In accordance with its procedures, work was immediately halted pending the technical inspection of the drilling template by the authorities,” it added.
“Once this inspection is completed, the Aeolus will return to its home port in order to carry out a complete technical check of the vessel and the tools.”