Press release
Resumption of drilling work on the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris - 15 July 2021 -
Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris – July 15, 2021 – Ailes Marines announces the return of the AEOLUS to the area from July 16, 2021, following the agreement of the maritime authorities. The jack-up vessel of the Van Oord company is responsible for drilling and installing the foundation piles for the offshore wind farm. After a complete review of the vessel's tools and equipment carried out by Van Oord in the Netherlands, all of the work control and monitoring protocols have been reassessed. Ailes Marines also announces the signing of an agreement with CEDRE.
15
July
21
Return of the AEOLUS vessel to the work area
The jack up vessel AEOLUS left the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands on July 14 and will be back in the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm installation area from July 16. The AEOLUS will take over the drilling and installation of jacket foundation piles. This work had been suspended since June 14 following an incident during the second series of drilling. The electronic safety system of the jig serving as a guide for the drilling had detected a sudden leak of biodegradable hydraulic fluid of the “PANOLIN HLP SYNTH” type, having a low impact on the environment. The work was then immediately suspended and Ailes Marines had actively collaborated with the maritime authorities for the management of the operations.
A complete and in-depth review of technical equipment
After the incident, the AEOLUS returned to its home port in the Netherlands. Van Oord's technical teams carried out a complete check of the vessel and its tools. All tools, including the jig, have been thoroughly checked. These reviews made it possible to make changes to significantly improve their performance. The measures implemented were tested by Van Oord during two tests in early July, one on land and the other at sea, in the port of Rotterdam. Both tests have given complete satisfaction.
Reinforced work control and monitoring measures
At the same time, Ailes Marines has decided to re-evaluate all the environmental incident alert thresholds for drilling work upwards.
The work control and monitoring protocols have also been strengthened, by the permanent presence on site of the TSM Penzer vessel, which will be equipped with additional anti-pollution means (SOPEP equipment). The deployment of this equipment was tested during specific exercises in the Netherlands and Cherbourg, on July 13 in the presence of representatives of Ceppol (Antipollution Practical Expertise Center dependent on the Ministry of Defense). Other exercises will take place in the bay of Saint-Brieuc in the coming weeks.
The technical improvements made to the tools, the strengthening of protocols and additional equipment are described in a file submitted by Ailes Marines to the State services on July 9. They guarantee an optimal resumption of drilling work.
Signature of an agreement with CEDRE
In addition, on 21 June, Ailes Marines signed an agreement with the CEDRE (Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution). This agreement provides a framework for the prevention aspects of pollution response (strengthening of procedures, planning, exercises). It also provides for close cooperation in the event of an intervention and provides for the training of the personnel involved.
PANOLIN lubricant, specially adapted to the marine environment
It is important to remember that the tools developed by Van Oord for drilling operations use hydraulic systems operating with a biodegradable fluid specially designed and developed for work at sea and produced by the company PANOLIN. This product – related to the leak of June 14 – is classified in the category of "readily biodegradable fluids" according to the international criteria of OECD 301 B, with a very low impact on the environment.
About Ailes Marines
Winner of a national call for projects with the Baie de Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm project, AILES MARINES is in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm. It is a simplified joint stock company (SAS), 100% owned by IBERDROLA.
Key figures for the Baie de Saint-Brieuc offshore wind project:
Key figures for the Baie de Saint-Brieuc offshore wind project:
- 75 km2 in area
- 62 Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0-167 DD 8 MW wind turbines
- 496 MW of installed capacity
- 1,820 GWh/year of production, i.e. the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants (including heating)
Press Relations & Communication
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All Press Releases
July
08
2022
The electrical substation of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has been successfully installed
Saipem has installed the first offshore electrical substation in Brittany. This is the
second substation installed on an offshore wind farm in France.
July
05
2022
The first foundation for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has been successfully installed
Ailes Marines announces today the successful installation of the first jacket foundation of the 62 wind turbines of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
July
01
2022
Installation of the first foundation for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Press release Installation of the first foundation of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm Pleudaniel / Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris - 01 July 2022 - Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by the Iberdrola group, today announced the start of the installation of the first jacket foundation of the 62 wind turbines of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc This installation phase will involve 5 vessels in the area. The navigation and maritime safety rules are set by prefectural decrees. During this phase of work, Ailes Marines is continuing to take measures to protect the...
Tue
07
2022
Construction work resumes on the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Ailes Marines announces today the resumption of construction work on the wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The Van Oord vessel Aeolus, which is responsible for installing the piles and foundations of the wind turbines, will be working in the area without interruption in 2022 and 2023. The wind farm will be delivered at the end of 2023
Nov
01
2021
Fin de la première phase des travaux en mer du parc éolien de Saint-Brieuc
Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris – Le 31 octobre 2021 – Ailes Marines annonce aujourd’hui la fin de la première phase des travaux de construction pour l’année 2021. Les opérations sont totalement achevées, le navire AEOLUS est prêt à quitter la zone. Il est en attente d’une fenêtre météo favorable pour son retour en flottaison, afin de rejoindre son port d’attache. Les travaux de construction en mer du parc reprendront le 1er mars 2022 au plus tard.
August
18
2021
Ailes Marines re-establishes the truth against false information about the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Following numerous affirmations and untruths relayed in recent weeks by media, Ailes Marines would like to provide once again details and clarifications about the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
August
13
2021
The 2021 inter-array cable pre-trenching campaign is now completed
Ailes Marines announces the end of the pre-trenching campaign for inter-array cable routes. The Aethra vessel leaves the work area today almost 5 weeks ahead of schedule. Drilling work is continuing on the northern zone of the park.
July
31
2021
AEOLUS vessel resumption to drilling work
Ailes Marines conducted several helicopter overflights of the area and nautical patrols. These
control operations were carried out considering the modeling provided by the Documentation
Center for Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution (CEDRE).
July
28
2021
Processing a drilling rig incident on the AEOLUS vessel
An incident was reported this morning by the captain of the ship AEOLUS to the CROSS Corsen (Regional Operational Center for Surveillance and Rescue) and the maritime coordination of Ailes Marines (MCC). During the series of drillings on position SB57, a technical problem was observed on one of the ship's three drills. Upon learning of the incident, Van Oord halted all ongoing drilling activities on the AEOLUS and decided to reassemble the affected drill. During the ascent of the tool, a hydraulic fluid of the "PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 46" type was observed on the deck of the AEOLUS vessel and in the marine environment.
June
16
2021
Ailes Marines provides details on the incident of 14 June 2021
The jack up vessel AEOLUS, operated by the company Van Oord, in charge of drilling operations and foundation piles installation for the offshore wind farm, left the Bay of Saint-Brieuc today for its harbour in the Netherlands (Vlissingen), a decision that was approved by the authorities. In parallel, Ailes Marines confirmeds the continuation of the pre-trenching activities currently underway on the site, carried out by the company Prysmian with the vessel AETHRA.
June
15
2021
Immobilisation of the vessel AEOLUS for tooling verification
The jack up vessel AEOLUS, in charge of drilling operation and foundation piles installation for Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm has currently halted operations on site.
This decision was taken following a technical problem encountered during the second cycle of drilling. This technical problem resulted in the leakage of Panolin HLP SYNTH hydraulic fluid used in the drill template guidance systems.
Apr
28
2021
Renforcement des suivis environnementaux pendant les travaux de forage
Durant la première phase des travaux de forage qui se déroule de mai à octobre 2021 sur la zone nord du périmètre du parc de Saint-Brieuc, Ailes Marines instaure des mesures renforcées de suivis en temps réel sur le bruit et la turbidité (état trouble de l’eau). Des mesures de contrôle renforcées de la turbidité – Des mesures de suivis renforcées de bruit – De nouvelles mesures complémentaires.
Apr
21
2021
Démarrage de la construction du parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc
Ailes Marine confirme aujourd’hui le démarrage de la construction du parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc. Les travaux s’étaleront sur 3 années. En 2021, les opérations de construction se déroulent de mai à octobre sur cinq zones situées uniquement sur la partie nord du parc.
Mar262021
Saint-Brieuc offshore wind turbine towers to be fitted in Brest
Today, Ailes Marines announced that the 62 wind turbine towers for its Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm will be assembled in the port of Brest’s new polder. This industrial plan will see the creation of new production capacity and at least 35 new jobs during the project’s construction period.
Feb
26
2021
Parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc : 1500 emplois mobilisés en France
Ailes Marines annonce aujourd’hui que le projet éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc mobilisera 1500 emplois en France, dont environ 500 en Bretagne. Ailes Marines a sélectionné pour leur savoir-faire reconnu des grands groupes internationaux, mais également des TPE-PME bretonnes spécialisées. Ainsi, le projet participe directement au développement de la filière industrielle de l’éolien en mer, en France et en Bretagne.
Jan
20
2021
Sondage IFOP – 71% des habitants des Côtes d’Armor favorables au projet de parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc
Ailes Marines a fait réaliser par l’IFOP, institut de sondages et d’études de marchés, une étude sur la tendance et la perception de l’opinion publique à propos du projet de parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc. Cette étude qui s’est déroulée au mois de décembre 2020, a porté sur un échantillon représentatif de la population vivant dans les départements bretons du Finistère, d’Ille-et-Vilaine, du Morbihan, des Côtes-d’Armor, ainsi qu’en Loire-Atlantique. Les résultats attestent de l’adhésion des populations costarmoricaines, bretonnes et de Loire-Atlantique au projet de parc éolien en mer de...
Dec
18
2020
Ailes Marines opte pour la méthode du forage pour installer les pieux des fondations, technique de moindre impact sur l’environnement.
Pour réduire l’impact environnemental, Ailes Marines a décidé d’utiliser la technique du forage pour installer les pieux des fondations. Cette décision a été prise après des années d’études d’ingénierie et suite à la réalisation de tests de forage à terre et en mer pour maximiser la sécurité et la protection de l’environnement. Cette décision concerne l’ensemble des emplacements des 62 fondations des éoliennes et celui de la sous-station électrique.
Dec
10
2020
Ailes Marines annonce la présentation des résultats des études environnementales et des campagnes de tests d’outillages aux acteurs du projet éolien de Saint-Brieuc.
Les impacts sonores du forage sont compatibles avec le cycle de vie normal des espèces halieutiques étudiées. Ailes Marines a décidé d’abandonner la technique de battage et de privilégier la méthode du forage pour l’installation des pieux. Les turbidités générées pendant les travaux auront une incidence faible sur le milieu. L’Ifremer valide l’état de référence des études de la ressource halieutique réalisé par Ailes Marines et RTE.
Dec
02
2020
Ailes Marines ensouillera l’intégralité des câbles inter-éoliennes du parc de Saint-Brieuc
Suite aux tests d’outillage réalisés à l’été 2020 et malgré les conditions très complexes des fonds marins du site, Ailes Marines confirme son objectif d’ensouiller à 100% l’ensemble des câbles inter-éoliennes du parc de Saint-Brieuc. L’ensouillage complet des câbles représenterait une avancée majeure pour la sécurité de la navigation et un pas de plus vers un maintien des activités de pêche au sein du parc.
Nov
20
2020
Ailes Marines apporte des précisions et clarifications sur le projet de parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc
Ailes Marines tient à apporter des précisions et des clarifications sur de nombreuses affirmations et contre-vérités qui sont exprimées régulièrement à propos du parc éolien en mer de Saint-Brieuc. Ailes Marines rappelle que : ● La zone du parc éolien La zone de 180 km2 soumise à appel d’offres en 2011 pour l’implantation d’un parc éolien en mer au large de la Baie de Saint-Brieuc a été définie par l’Etat, à l’issue d’un processus de concertation avec l’ensemble des acteurs du territoires mené en 2010, sous l’égide de la Conférence Régionale Mer et Littoral, à laquelle ont participé les...
Oct
02
2020
Navantia-Windar starts production of foundation elements for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm at the Brest Polder
One year after the Navantia-Windar consortium was selected to manufacture the foundations of the wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm, the two companies are now established in the Brest polder and are actively collaborating with Breton companies. Seventeen local companies have already worked on the Navantia-Windar site located at the new EMR terminal in Brest. Two new contracts were signed today and the consortium is currently negotiating with 20 other companies.
Sep
16
2020
Ailes Marines has selected GE Grid Solutions to supply and install the main electrical equipment for the substation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by Iberdrola, in charge of the construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, today announced the selection of GE Grid Solutions, a division of GE Renewable Energy, to supply the main electrical equipment for the substation of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
Sep
07
2020
Ailes Marines has selected the French companies Eiffage Métal and Engie Solutions for the manufacturing of the electrical substation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc.
Ailes Marines, a company wholly owned by Iberdrola, in charge of the construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, today announced the award of the contract for the construction of the wind farm's electrical substation to the two French companies Eiffage Métal and ENGIE Solutions.
July
22
2020
Ailes Marines has selected Saipem for the transport and installation of the "jacket" type foundations for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm substation.
Ailes Marines, a company of the Iberdrola Group in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, selected Saipem to transport and install the "jacket" type foundations and the upper part of the offshore substation.
June
18
2020
Iberdrola creates 1,100 jobs in France thanks to the wind farm project
Iberdrola confirms the launch of its €4 billion investment in France. The contract for the supply of the foundations, totalling €350 million, was signed this morning by the President of Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán. The components of the foundations will be assembled on Brest polder's port.
May
29
2020
Ailes Marines and Siemens Gamesa sign the contract for the supply of wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm
Ailes Marines, Iberdrola's subsidiary in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, today announced the signature with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy of the contract to supply the 62 wind turbines for the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
May
27
2020
Ailes Marines selects Prysmian as supplier of submarine cables for the wind farm
Ailes Marines, in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the Saint-Brieuc Bay offshore wind farm, has just signed an 80 million euro contract with the Prysmian Group, a world leader in the power and telecommunication cable systems industry, to supply the inter-wind turbine cables for the Saint-Brieuc wind farm.
May
06
2020
Ailes Marines has selected Van Oord to install the foundations of the wind farm.
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 (lattice steel structures) as well as the piles for the foundations of the electrical substation.
Mar
09
2020
Iberdrola acquires 100% of the capital of Ailes Marines
Iberdrola has reaffirmed its ambitions in the offshore wind energy sector, following the conclusion of an agreement to acquire 100% of the company Ailes Marines. The latter develops, builds and operates the offshore wind farm in Saint-Brieuc, France, a country that has become an increasingly strategic market for Iberdrola.
Sep
16
2019
Ailes Marines has selected Navantia to build the foundations of the wind farm.
Ailes Marines, in charge of the development, construction, installation and operation of the offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, has selected the Spanish company Navantia for the manufacture of the 62 foundations of the offshore wind turbines that will equip the wind farm.