Press release
Ailes Marines selected Van Oord for the transport and installation work of the foundations of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Saint-Brieuc / Paris / Rotterdam – May 6, 2020 – Ailes Marines , in charge of the construction, installation and operation of the Saint-Brieuc Bay wind farm, has selected the Dutch company Van Oord to transport and install the 62 jacket foundations (metallic lattice structures) as well as the piles for the foundations of the electrical substation.
May
Transport and installation work
Van Oord will begin offshore operations in 2021 with the installation of the anchor piles, using its vessel Aeolus. The Aeolus will be assisted by a second vessel in 2022, for the installation of the jacket foundations which will be manufactured in Fene (Spain) and Brest (France).
Built specifically for the installation of offshore wind farms, the Aeolus was commissioned in 2014. Its main crane has a lifting capacity of more than 1,600 tonnes. The Aeolus is fully suitable for the transport and installation of foundations and wind turbines. Its advanced lifting system, with its giant legs, each measuring 85 meters and weighing 1,280 tonnes, allows the Aeolus to be elevated and operate in waters up to 45 meters deep.
A partnership of trust
Prysmian will provide a complete turnkey offer including design, supply, installation and all tests for the commissioning of 90 km of 66 kV high voltage alternating current (HVAC) three-pole submarine cables ) with XLPE insulation. The phases of the cables (cores and insulation) will be manufactured in the Prysmian group factories located in Montereau-Fault-Yonne and Gron (France), then the final assembly of the three-core cables will be carried out in Nordenham (Germany). Delivery and commissioning are planned for the end of 2022.
The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm will be located in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc in Brittany, 16.3 kilometers off the French coast. Once completed, the wind farm, with a total capacity of 496 MW, will produce 1,820 GWh per year, the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants. The installation work will last several months and continue until 2022. The wind farm will be fully operational in 2023.
“Van Oord has been carrying out various projects in France for a long time. The most recent example is our participation in the different phases of deepening the Seine. The Saint-Brieuc project will be our first offshore wind farm project in France and I am proud that we are participating in it. Especially since we are delighted to have the opportunity to work once again with Iberdrola. By carrying out this offshore wind farm project, we are also contributing to the European objective of reaching 32% renewable energy by 2030.”
“Having made the investment decision, Ailes Marines is delighted to sign this contract with Van Oord to transport and install the 62 jacket foundations and the piles of the foundation of the electrical substation of the Saint-Brieuc project. This project will play an important role in France's transition to a green economy. Given the difficult conditions linked to the pandemic crisis, we are also contributing to the resumption of industrial activity in France and the rest of Europe. »
The Aeolus in brief
Lifting capacity
Feet height
Weight of a foot
Operating depth
In December 2019, Van Oord signed a contract for preliminary, design and engineering work. Thus, the construction of the underwater tool allowing these operations to be carried out has already begun. It will be delivered by the end of the year.
About Ailes Marines
Winner in April 2012 of a national call for projects with the Saint-Brieuc Bay offshore wind farm project, AILES MARINES is in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the park. offshore wind farm. It is a simplified joint stock company (SAS), 100% owned by IBERDROLA.
The key figures of the Saint-Brieuc Bay offshore wind project:
- 75 km2 of area
- 62 Siemens-Gamesa 8 MW wind turbines
- 496 MW of installed power
- 1,820 GWh/year of production, i.e. the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants (heating included)
About Van Oord
Van Oord is a Dutch family business, with 150 years of experience as an international maritime contractor. It specializes in dredging, onshore infrastructure in the Netherlands as well as oil and gas infrastructure and offshore wind. Its head office is located in Rotterdam. Van Oord employs 5,000 employees, who in 2019 worked on 200 projects in 44 countries. Its fleet consists of 70 vessels and a significant number of specific auxiliary equipment. Maritime expertise is Van Oord’s trademark. By implementing innovative, ingenious and sustainable solutions, the company wishes to contribute to the creation of a better world for future generations.
For further information:
Please contact Robert de Bruin, Head of Communications and Markets, T +31 (0)88 8268234, M +31 (0)6 53440890, E robert.debruin@vanoord.com.
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