Harwich International Port has announced a new contract with Aarsleff Bilfinger Berger Joint Venture (ABJV) to act as their UK installation port for Phase 1 of the London Array Offshore Wind Farm.
ABJV are the project’s installation contractor and were appointed by the wind farm’s developers, DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar. At 1,000MW, the project is currently the world’s largest consented wind farm and will be built in two phases.
David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) which owns Harwich International Port said:
“This will be the third time that Harwich International Port has acted as the main installation port for an offshore wind project, having first acted for Gunfleet Sands and then Greater Gabbard. For a time, Greater Gabbard and London Array will run concurrently, demonstrating the port’s ability to accommodate two of the world’s largest offshore windfarm construction projects simultaneously. This latest contract consolidates our position as the UK’s current leading port for offshore windfarm development – an achievement to be proud of.”
Located in the outer Thames Estuary, the London Array could eventually power up to 750,000 homes, the equivalent of a quarter of Greater London. Phase 1 installation will commence in February 2011, ending in 2012 and will consist of 175 Siemens 3.6MW turbines.
[mappress]
Source: harwich, March 07, 2011