Danish energy firm set to develop major maintenance and operations hub for east coast offshore wind farms
DONG Energy has announced plans to build what it claims will be the UK's largest offshore wind operations and maintenance hub in Grimsby to support its work in the region.
Subject to planning approval, the new multi-million pound hub is set to be developed in the town's Royal Dock and will initially support DONG's Westermost Rough, Race Bank and Hornsea Project One offshore wind farms, the Danish energy firm announced on Friday.
The proposed facility is designed to have enough additional capacity to support other east coast wind farms in DONG's future development pipeline, including warehouse storage space for wind turbine components.
Additionally, the hub will include a comprehensive marine coordination centre capable of providing 24-7 service to offshore operations both within and outside the UK, DONG Energy said.
The development is postive news for the region after DONG Energy announced last month it was pulling out of plans to build a turbine manufacturing facility at the Able Marine Energy Park on the Humber Estuary.
"This new operational hub in Grimsby will be a game changing industry first, raising the bar for the way we serve offshore wind farms," said Brent Cheshire, UK country chairman of DONG Energy. "It will generate direct and indirect job opportunities in the Humber region, as well as opportunities for the local supply chain."
Cheshire added: "It represents a massive vote of confidence to the UK offshore wind industry and confirms our commitment to the Humber region where by 2019 we expect to have invested around £6bn."
The firm said the hub, to be situated alongside the existing Westermost Rough operation and maintenance facility, would be served by high-tech vessels capable of accommodating up to 60 crew and technicians while remaining at sea for long periods.
According to DONG Energy - which was recently valued at $15bn after a suiccessful public share offering - these 'state of the art' Service Operational Vessels (SOVs) are to be supplied by Norwegian shipping firm Ostensjo Rederi and designed by Rolls Royce.
The first SOV is set to arrive next year to initially support operation and maintenance of the firm's 580MW Race Bank offshore wind farm, which is currently under construction around 17 miles off the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coastlines.
Crews of technicians from DONG Energy and turbine supplier Siemens are expected to work on the boats, which will able to spend up to 28 consecutive days on station at wind farms and service six to eight turbines each day.
DONG Energy said it expected the bespoke SOVs to "set the blueprint for the way in which offshore wind farms are maintained in future".
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