The developers of the Viking Energy Wind Farm have poured concrete for the final wind turbine base.
The concrete pour process started in September 2021 and since then over 70,246 cubic metres of concrete has been poured across 103 of the foundations.
Concrete was produced from two batching plants that were created on site due to the high volumes required. Each concrete pour on average took 11 hours to complete, with over 30 people involved in each concrete pour from start to finish.
The turbine foundations were designed by engineering consultants Tony Gee and Partners LLP and construction operations were carried out by principal contractor RJ McLeod and its sub-contractors.
The construction process involved teams excavating material from site before installing the reinforcement which was then followed by the pouring of concrete. Once the concrete had cured, the base was then backfilled with the excavated material, leaving only the centre ring showing, ready for the turbine tower to be bolted on.
In early 2023, the next phase of the project will begin with the arrival of the 4.3MW Vestas turbines on site. The turbines will have a maximum tip height of 155m.
Derek Hastings, Head of Onshore Projects for SSE Renewables, said: “The last concrete pour was completed on Saturday 12 November, and it marks a significant construction milestone at Viking Wind Farm.
“Viking Energy Wind Farm is on course to go into renewable energy production in 2024 and is expected to be the most productive onshore wind farm in the UK when complete.”