Van Oord signs LOI for massive Netherlands wind farm project

An advanced wind farm construction vessel ordered at German shipbuilder J.J. Sietas has a two-year project lined up following its September 2012 delivery. The ship is on order for Rotterdam headquartered marine construction contractor Van Oord, which has just signed an LOI for the construction of the BARD-Netherlands offshore wind farm.

The LOI is with green investment company Typhoon Offshore B.V. and will be finalized once financial arrangements have been made.

The wind farm (600 MW output capacity) will consist of two adjoining wind farms with a capacity of 300 MW each, located 55 km north of the island of Schiermonnikoog. The contract value for Van Oord is in the range of EUR 300 and EUR 400 million..The wind farm will be built in one of the most harsh environments in the North Sea, with high winds and frequent heavy swell. Van Oord will be responsible for inspecting the sea bed and for producing the detailed engineering design for the wind farm. As the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractor, Van Oord will also be responsible for purchasing  materials, installing the foundations and wind turbines as well as laying the cables.

The new installation vessel for offshore wind projects will be deployed on the project for a period of two years.

It will be 139 m long, 38 m wide, with a designed draught of 5.7 m and a top speed of 12 knots.

It will be fitted with a crane capable of hoisting 900 tonnes and accommodations for 74 people.

January 26, 2011