Vattenfall and SWM have unveiled plans to optimise turbine installation at the 288MW Sandbank offshore wind farm in the German North Sea in a bid to cut build times by up to 23%.
The developer duo said today that the timeline for the installation of 72 Siemens SWT 4.0-130s, which will start in August, will be reduced after the German turbine manufacturer lined up the service operation vessel Acergy Viking.
The SOV will be used for turbine installation support and will house technicians who will live and work onboard to reduce the time traveling to and from the site. Vattenfall said the plan would reduce the installation phase by up to 89 days.
Under a contract sealed with Eidesvik Offshore, Acergy Viking has been chartered to Siemens for 9 months as an accommodation and service vessel.
Prior to the contract start, the vessel will undertake a short mobilisation, which includes installing an offshore gangway system.
The installation of 72 EEW-made monopiles has already been completed at the Sandbank site some 90km off the island of Sylt.
Meanwhile, Siemens is chartering the Ulstein SX175 SOV from ship owner Bernhard Schulte for long-term service and maintenance operations at Sandbank and the 288MW Dan Tysk wind farm.
Image: foundation installation at Sandbank (Vattenfall)
Sandbank maps fast-track build
UPDATE: Siemens to deploy service operation vessel Acergy Viking
By EBS