Jack-up vessel Brave Tern is on its way home to Europe after completing construction of the 30MW Block Island offshore wind project in Rhode Island “well ahead of schedule”, said Fred Olsen Windcarrier.
Brave Tern departed yesterday on a two-week journey across the mid-Atlantic for final demobilisation in Esbjerg, Denmark.
Crews last week installed the final of five GE Haliade 150 6MW turbines at the Deepwater Wind project, located about 3 miles southeast of Block Island.
Fred. Olsen related company Global Wind Service helped with offshore assembly work under a separate contract for GE Renewable Energy.
“The Block Island wind farm project has truly been a team effort,” said Fred Olsen Windcarrier project manager Eskil Røset.”As this project is the first ever offshore wind farm constructed in the US, it has required meticulous planning and preparations to ensure the safe and efficient completion,” he added.
Montco Offshore jack-ups Caitlin and Paul, which ferried towers and blades from the Port of Providence and assisted with installation, have returned to port for demobilizing and are preparing to transit south.
Technicians are making final electrical connections within the turbines.
Meanwhile, lift boat Michael Eymard continues to install cable protection on the 20-mile subsea transmission cable linking Block Island to the mainland.
National Grid, which will own the $107m transmission and interconnection system, expects to begin substation testing and commissioning after Labor Day.
The utility will buy the output starting at $0.24/kWh under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Deepwater expects first power to start flowing to the grid in November.
Image: Fred Olsen Windcarrier
