UK: Test tower and foundation for Burbo Bank Extension installed onshore to optimise installation processes offshore

In order to further test installation and commissioning procedures, the interfaces between the tower and transition piece, and enhance our technician training capabilities, MHI Vestas and DONG Energy have jointly invested in installing a reference tower for the V164-8.0 MW on top of a shortened version of the transition piece.

The 97 m high tower was installed opposite the MHI Vestas nacelle factory at the Lindø Industrial Park, on the Danish island of Fuenen and is expected to be in place for up to two years. The tower and foundation are replicas of those that will be installed at Burbo Bank Extension, and the process has already resulted in a significant reduction in the commissioning phase of the tower.

Claus Bøjle Møller, DONG Energy’s Project Director for Burbo Bank Extension, said: “As Burbo Bank Extension will be utilising the biggest wind turbines in the world, it is important that we are as prepared as possible before installation begins. The test tower and transition piece will allow us to avoid potentially costly interface misalignments, and to maximise efficiency and safety procedures during offshore construction of cables, foundations and turbines as well.”

Rasmus Ravn, Project Director at MHI Vestas, said: “Investing in the test tower has further underlined the high value both MHI Vestas and DONG Energy place on testing our processes and interfaces before we begin offshore installation of Burbo Bank Extension.”

The tower will initially be used by MHI Vestas to optimise the pre-assembly process, which will take place in Belfast during the coming months. Later in the year, service technicians will use the tower as a training aid for preparation for service at both the Burbo Bank Extension, and Walney Extension projects. In addition, DONG Energy and its contractors will use the test facility to prepare for foundation and cable installation.

About the reference tower

• Replica of the towers for Burbo Bank Extension
• 97m high, 6.5m base diameter, weight of the tower 400 tonnes, weight of the transition piece 222 tonnes
• Installed using Self Propelled Mobile Transport (SPMT) and innovative tailing frame, minimising crane use at pre-assembly
• Enables DONG Energy and MHI Vestas to test interfaces between the tower and the transition piece to optimise the process ahead of offshore installation
• Provides an ideal training tool for service technicians

About the Burbo Bank Extension project

The 258 MW Burbo Bank Extension project lies off the coast of Liverpool Bay, in the UK. When installed the 32 wind turbines will produce enough energy to meet the electricity requirements for approximately 180,000 houses, approximately 30 percent of the greater Liverpool area.

The contract with MHI Vestas includes supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as a five year full scope service contract. Installation begins in autumn 2016, and commissioning is expected to be completed in 2017. Pre-assembly of the turbines will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland.