World’s first wind farm gravity bases to be built

In a worldwide first, Bam Nuttall has been awarded a contract to design, build and install five full-size gravity base foundations for wind turbines off the Northumberland coast.

EDF Energy Renewables via SPV Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Ltd has awarded the contract to BAM and will use leading edge technology, the first of its kind to be built in the World.

The turbines will be capable of generating 41.5MV, which would be enough to power 33,000 homes.

The contract is estimated to be worth around £40M and will see the foundation design utilise ‘self-installing’ technology, which has been developed by two BAM companies, BAM Nuttall Ltd and BAM Infra bv. The design is be carried out by BAM Infraconsult.

The project will provide the opportunity to test the viability of this method to installing gravity base foundations in the offshore environment for future wind farms.

BAM Nuttall’s Head of Civil Engineering Malcolm Corlett said: “This is a very significant milestone not just for BAM but for the wider offshore wind sector. An opportunity to demonstrate the potential for self-installing concrete gravity bases to provide economic foundations for large wind turbines in deeper water.

“Following five years of intensive work refining our design and method of construction we now have a live project to demonstrate our technology and bring new skills and opportunity to the North East of England.”

All fabrication will be carried out locally by Shepherd Offshore in Newcastle on the River Tyne at its Neptune Energy Park and the project is due for completion during summer 2017.

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