Framo pumping systems used to anchor wind turbines

Turbines will be anchored to seabed using suction-bucket technology.

Pumping systems from Alfa Laval subsidiary Framo will be used in the installation of the foundations of Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm project.

Once finalized, the wind farm will include 114 turbines producing 1,075 MW to supply 1.3 million households with low-carbon energy.

Ordered by Saipem, which has an installation contract for Seagreen, the Framo pumping systems will secure and safely anchor the wind turbine platforms to the seabed, using so-called suction bucket technology.

The technology of suction and bucket foundations has secured and safely anchored platforms and offshore installations around the world since the 1990s. Now, the concept has been adapted for offshore wind turbine foundations. Framo is meeting the market demand by offering the complete pumping systems required for the installation of the turbine foundations.

Suction anchor technology has an environmentally friendly footprint. Besides lowering costs due to the increased installation speed, the concept provides for easy decommissioning and a practically noise-free installation.

This is Framo’s second order for pumping systems in this application and marks an important milestone as it applies the company’s extensive experience from the offshore industry to renewable energy applications.

“This second order for our Framo pumping systems used in suction bucket foundations to wind farms is an important milestone for us as it cements our position in this application and takes our long-proven and validated technology from offshore oil platforms to renewable applications,” says Sameer Kalra, president of the Marine Division at Alfa Laval. “Our knowledge and experience from delivering innovative and reliable products to the offshore industry is now also making a difference within renewable energy, to the benefit of our customers and the environment.”