Van Oord is set to install ten Ming Yang 3MW turbines and their associated integrated monopile foundations at Renexia’s 30MW Taranto development in Italy.
The nearshore development lies within the waters of Taranto harbour and will be both the first offshore wind project in Italy and the first installed in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Dutch marine contractor said it will use jack up vessel MPI Resolution (pictured) to install the project.
Van Oord said: “The vessel is perfectly suitable for the works in the Mediterranean Sea because it can handle both the very shallow and deeper water locations as water depths vary from 4 to 18 metres.”
The vessel is currently in transit towards Italy and due to begin installation later this month.
Van Oord has spent the last two weeks mobilizing the vessel for the job in Rotterdam where a Menck hammer, sea fastening, upend tool and lifting equipment was loaded onto the MPI Resolution.
During installation Van Oord will deploy its FaunaGuard system, which is an acoustic deterrent to protect dolphins from approaching the project during piling operations.