Aberdeen-based Specialist Subsea Services (S3), a provider of ROV, survey and vessel services to the international energy industry, recently completed 100 days’ of work on Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm, off the coast of North Wales.
S3 mobilised a team of 15 people to visit all 160 locations for turbines at a value in excess of £3m, which involved the deployment of ROV equipment, use of hydraulic grab, survey and positioning equipment, in addition to seabed mapping systems from the MV Sentinel in order to detect seabed targets.
This activity, ensuring the seabed was clear for further development works, is in preparation for the installation of wind turbine foundations, the first of which was installed in August last year. Gwynt y Môr, which is being built 13km (8m) off the coast, is one of the largest offshore wind farms under construction in Europe. Once fully operational, energy generation is expected to be equivalent to the average annual needs of around 400,000 homes(1).
Graeme Kidd, managing director at S³ , said: “This was our first major renewables contract so its successful completion is of particular significance for us.
“S³ is continually working on expanding its services and expertise. Securing further contracts of this nature will help us in our strategy to ultimately increase our influence in the renewables industry and internationally.”
RWE npower renewables’ Gwynt y Môr Project Director, Toby Edmonds said: “The operations carried out by Specialist Subsea Services were important to begin the offshore installation of foundations at Gwynt y Môr. Their team and specialist vessel have performed well and we were delighted to find a UK based company to carry out these works.
“So far, Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm Limited has awarded contracts worth more than £310 million to companies across the UK.”
S³ is an Aberdeen-based provider of ROVs and survey services to the oil and gas and renewable industries. Adopting a “life of field” approach, S³ offers its customers a comprehensive package of services that includes: offshore installation and construction support, IRM Inspection, repair and maintenance, decommissioning and precise positioning and surveys for construction vessels and drilling rigs. S³ is a subsidiary of Reef Subsea AS.
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Press release, January 14, 2013