Jan De Nul Secures World’s Largest Jack-Up Installation Vessel For Dogger Bank Wind Farms

Jan De Nul Secures World’s Largest Jack-Up Installation Vessel For Dogger Bank Wind Farms

Voltaire is a new offshore jack-up installation vessel that has a capacity to lift over 3,000 tonnes and is taller than the Eiffel Tower. Jan De Nul has secured this world’s largest jack-up installation vessel.

GE’s Haliade-X, that is the largest offshore wind turbine of the world will be transported and installed by the Voltaire at the Dogger Bank that is 130km away from the Yorkshire coast. After the complete installation, the Dogger Bank will be able to generate energy to supply power to more than 4.5 million homes annually which come to about 5% of the electricity needs of the UK.

This is the first contract for Voltaire that will start servicing in 2022. This vessel is named after the European Enlightenment philosopher. It has a highly advanced exhaust filtering system through a Selective Catalytic Reduction System and a Diesel Particulate Filter which makes it the first of its kind having an Ultra-low Emission Vessel.

Philippe Hutse, Offshore Director at Jan De Nul Group: “We are delighted to be selected as the transport and installation contractor for the next generation of turbines at Dogger Bank. The size of this giant project coincides perfectly with the capacities of our jack-up vessel Voltaire. It underlines that we are entering into a new phase of OWF construction. We are proud to be at the forefront of offshore wind construction at Dogger Bank.”

Paul Cooley, Director of Capital Projects at SSE Renewables: “Dogger Bank is an industry-leading project and we, along with our joint venture partners Equinor, are very excited to welcome another industry leader, Jan De Nul Group, to the development of the largest offshore wind farm in the world.”

Halfdan Brustad, Vice President for Dogger Bank at Equinor: “Dogger Bank represents the leading edge of the offshore wind industry. We and SSE Renewables believe the addition of Jan De Nul Group’s ground-breaking vessel to our project will drive the industry forward and make it more competitive.”

Steve Wilson, Project Director of Dogger Bank Wind Farms: “Jan De Nul Group has a proven track record of transporting and installing new-generation offshore wind turbines at scale. Delivering Dogger Bank will be a testament to the skills and expertise of all of our partners in the supply chain, so we are very pleased to welcome Jan De Nul Group on board. Bringing the Voltaire vessel into the Dogger Bank project means we now have the most innovative turbines on the market being installed by the largest jack-up vessel ever seen in the industry.”

3.6GW of offshore wind contracts has been given to Dogger Bank in the contracts of the UK Government.

Creyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B, and Teesside A are the projects that have recorded the lowest prices and makeup Dogger Bank Wind Farms. Final investment decisions are to be made for this project which is expected in 2020. The development and the construction of the Dogger Bank Wind Farms will be done by SSE Renewables and the operations will be seen by Equinor.

Reference: Doggerbank