Germany: E.ON awards contract Arkona offshore wind project to Van Oord

Energy supplier E.ON has awarded the contract for the transport and installation of foundations at the Arkona offshore wind project in the German Baltic Sea to Van Oord. Van Oord will install the project’s 60 monopiles and transition piece foundations.

For installing foundations at the Arkona offshore wind project, Van Oord intends to deploy its heavy lift installation vessel Svanen. Arnoud Kuis, Managing Director of Van Oord Offshore Wind Projects: ‘The installation strategy is based on the proven feeder concept bringing foundation components floating to the Svanen at the installation site. This method has been optimized over recent years resulting in highly efficient installation cycles.’ The Svanen has already installed over 500 monopiles using this method. The installation works are planned for 2017. 

With an installed capacity of 385 MW the Arkona offshore wind project will be located more than 35 kilometres North of Rügen Island in Germany and will be able to supply renewable energy to 400,000 households. E.ON will have responsibility for building and operating the wind farm. The energy company Statoil will have a 50-percent stake and be involved in the project from the start.