Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT) has signed a contract for transport and installation of foundations for the Dogger Bank A offshore wind farm, after being chosen as the preferred supplier for the work in 2019.
The contract is subject to the project’s final investment decision, according to OHT, which expects a contract for the second phase, Dogger Bank B, to follow in due course.
Dogger Bank A will mark the debut for OHT’s vessel Alfa Lift , currently under construction at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard in China, which will transport monopile foundations and transition pieces to the offshore project site and install them in water depths up to 35 metres.
The work is expected to take place from 2022 to 2023. According to OHT, the installation vessel will be completed and arrive to Europe in good time for mobilisation for its first gig.
“Construction is progressing as expected and has experienced no significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the diligence, dedication, and strong focus on safety of all parties involved” , OHT said.
OHT announced a contract with CMHI for the construction of the foundation installation vessel Alfa Lift two years ago.
The 216.3-metre-long heavy installation crane vessel, to be delivered next year, is designed to install all types of bottom-fixed offshore wind foundations. To enhance sea state limitations and reduce weather downtime, Alfa Lift has the capability to submerge offshore during the installation operation.
The vessel will come equipped with battery hybrid propulsion, it has an exhaust gas scrubber, and is Tier III compliant.
Dogger Bank Wind Farms is a 50:50 joint venture between Equinor and SSE Renewables, comprising three 1.2 GW projects: Creyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B and Teesside A.
The final investment decision for Creyke Beck A and Creyke Beck B (Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B) is expected to be reached by the end of this year.