The consortium of Van Oord and Siemens Gamesa has signed a conditional contract to build the Windpark Fryslân nearshore wind farm in the Netherlands.
The conditional contract includes the construction of the +380MW wind farm, as well as service operations for at least 16 years following completion.
The consortium was named the preferred contractor for the project in August last year.
Van Oord is responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the foundations and cables, as well as the delivery of the equipment to install the turbines. Siemens Gamesa is in charge of the design, fabrication, and commissioning of the turbines and the onshore substation at Breezanddijk on the Afsluitdijk.
An integrated design team will bring together professionals from both companies to collaborate closely on both the foundations and the wind turbines, Van Oord said.
Windpark Fryslân is planned to feature 89 Siemens Gamesa SWT-DD-130 4.3MW turbines located in the IJsselmeer to the south of the Afsluitdijk near Breezanddijk.
The final investment decision is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2019, with construction also expected this year and commissioning by 2021.
The construction of the project includes the creation of a nature reserve island south of the Afsluitdijk, with a land area of 2ha and a submerged area of 25ha, which will be used as a work platform and, at the same time, will be developed into a bird sanctuary.