A major milestone was achieved at Parkwind’s Arcadis Ost 1 offshore wind farm over the weekend when DEME Offshore installed its final XXL monopile in the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Rügen. This was the first project executed by DEME’s new floating installation vessel ‘Orion’, which installed the foundations using its DP3 system.
Rügen, 26/07/2022 – Every element of this offshore wind project pushes the limits of industry standards. The 28 XXL monopiles are the largest monopile foundations ever installed, weighing more than 2,000 tonnes each, and having a diameter of 9.5m and a length of up to 110 m.
Parkwind’s Arcadis Ost 1 project in the Baltic Sea is located North-East of the famous Kap Arkona Cliffs, within the 12 NM Zone of Germany with water depths of up to 45 m and challenging soil conditions. It will get it’s 27 Vestas V 174 – 9,5 MW wind turbines later this year and produce green electricity to supply up to 290.000 households.
‘Orion’ was running on LNG during the installation campaign and is equipped with a 5,000-tonne crane and a tailor-made, motion compensated pile gripper system able to handle enormous XXL monopile foundations. The integrated motion compensated pile gripper tool enables the crew to upend and drive the monopiles, which are transported horizontally on deck. Coupled with the vessel’s DP3 capability, the motion compensated gripper keeps the monopiles vertical and stable despite waves and vessel motions.
New innovative tools
In addition, an entire set of new specialist tools have been used during this maiden project for ‘Orion’. These innovative tools include an adjustable monopile sea fastening system, a newly-built automated monopile lifting spreader beam to enable the horizontal lifting of the XXL monopiles, automated quick-lifting tools to avoid manual handling on deck, as well as several new noise mitigation systems.
Hugo Bouvy, Managing Director of DEME Offshore, said: “We are extremely thrilled to see ‘Orion’ and her motion compensated pile gripper doing what the vessel has been created for, installing huge monopiles in extreme circumstances. This pushes the boundaries of the offshore wind industry over the horizon and shows that DEME’s smart solutions and equipment are ready for the next generation of foundations and wind turbines. Many years of offshore experience and engineering by incredibly motivated people have resulted in the delivery of ‘Orion’ and her installation tools. Our persistent Arcadis Ost 1 project and newbuild teams, and our experienced and extremely professional crew led to the commissioning of ‘Orion’ in record times. Together they pushed technological boundaries with enormous enthusiasm and drive. I am so proud to be part of this team!”
Manfred Dittmer, Parkwind’s Country Manager Germany, commented: “It feels good to see how it all comes together when installation works starts: the planning, the design, the certification, the manufacturing, and finally the installation itself. Thanks to the whole team and all partners involved who worked with great efforts and enthusiasm on the realisation of our first offshore wind farm outside Belgium. It underlines our capabilities to execute projects under challenging conditions and environments. With the monopiles in place, we will continuing the installation of the secondary steel structures to complete the foundations.”
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About Arcadis Ost 1
Arcadis Ost 1 is a 257 MW offshore wind farm developed in the German territorial waters of the Baltic Sea, northeast of the island of Rügen. Arcadis Ost 1 has been developed by Parkwind with the participation of PMV and OstseeWindEnergie GmbH, a project company of the three partners Oberhessische Versorgungsbetriebe AG, Stadtwerke Bad Vilbel and WV Energie AG. The wind farm will begin operations in 2023 and will supply enough green energy to power an equivalent of 290,000 households.
About DEME
DEME (Euronext Brussels: DEME) is a leading contractor in the fields of offshore energy, environmental remediation, dredging and marine infrastructure. DEME also engages in concessions activities in offshore wind, marine infrastructure, green hydrogen, and deep-sea mineral harvesting. The company can build on more than 145 years of experience and is a front runner in innovation and new technologies. DEME’s vision is to work towards a sustainable future by offering solutions for global challenges: a rising sea level, a growing population, the reduction of emissions, polluted rivers and soils and the scarcity of mineral resources. DEME can rely on about 5,000 highly skilled professionals and operates one of the largest and most technologically advanced fleets in the world. https://www.deme-group.com
About Parkwind
Parkwind is an independent green energy company that develops, finances and operates offshore wind farms. With more than a decade of experience and 771 MW under operational management in the Belgian North Sea, Parkwind is currently expanding internationally. With active projects at various stages of development, such as Arcadis Ost 1 (DE) or Oriel (IRL), Parkwind is set to add another 1.1 GW of capacity under its management.
Committed to making green energy available and affordable for everyone through its unique approach covering the entire value chain of offshore wind, Parkwind has established itself as a reliable and competitive partner to communities, governments and suppliers globally.
Composed of over 120 professionals operating from offices in Belgium and Ireland, Parkwind leads the offshore wind energy activities of its Belgian shareholder Virya, which is owned by the Colruyt Group and Korys. Learn more at www.parkwind.eu
Contact
Vicky Cosemans
cosemans.vicky@deme-group.com +32 3 250 59 22
Vedran Horvat
Vedran.horvat@parkwind.eu +32 471 63 82 01
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