Shell and Eneco JV Ecowende has awarded Van Oord the contract to transport and install the foundations of Hollandse Kust (west) lot VI offshore wind farm.
Van Oord will also design, procure and lay the connecting cables between the wind turbines as well as handling the transportation and installation of the machines at sea.
Contract signing will take place later this year.
Van Oord Offshore Energy managing director Arnoud Kuis said: “The fact that Van Oord has been involved in the construction of all the wind farms in the Dutch North Sea means we have built up a wealth of knowledge over the years.
“We are happy to be working with the Ecowende consortium to bring all our experience on innovative, ecological, nature-enhancing measures to bear for Hollandse Kust West.”
Chief executive and project director at Ecowende Folkert Visser added: “We are making huge strides to develop offshore wind in an environmentally responsible way.
“With Van Oord’s years of experience in all facets of offshore wind farm construction, we are confident that Van Oord can work with us to meet this wonderful challenge.”
Ecowende will implement various innovations, large-scale mitigation and stimulation ecological measures and an extensive monitoring and research programme above and below the water.
For Van Oord, this also means a different approach to previous wind farms.
Kuis said: “In building the Ecowende wind farm, we are applying quieter installation techniques.
“The purpose being that this park and future parks can be built under stricter permit conditions.
“Van Oord is also laying various types of nature-friendly rubble around the foundations.
“Moreover, reducing the footprint (CO2 and nitrogen) during the construction phase is being given maximum attention.
“Van Oord is investing heavily in installation vessels using new fuels, to make the industry even more sustainable.
“The yet-to-be-built installation vessel Boreas, which can operate on methanol, will be delivered in 2025. Ecowende will be one of the first projects of this green giant.”
Folkert Visser added: “When choosing Van Oord, Ecowende also looked at emissions.
“It takes a strong vision into the future for Van Oord to make such large investments in growing their fleet and, at the same time, making it more sustainable.”