Tag: construction and maintenance

SMC Score Dogger Bank Marine Coordination Package

Posted: March 8th, 2022 in News

Specialist Marine Consultants (SMC) have been awarded a holistic Marine Coordination services contract to work on all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

 

SMC will deliver a turnkey Marine Coordination personnel solution in support of construction operations at what will become the world’s largest offshore windfarm when it’s completed in 2026.

 

George Moore, Business Development Director at SMC commented:

 

“We have been involved in operations at Dogger Bank Wind Farm since the days of the Forewind consortium. Dogger Bank is a local project for us and has remained a key area of focus for the company over the years. Confirmation of this award represents our 16th active Marine Coordination contract to be undertaken during 2022 and reaffirms our position as the market leader in delivering Marine Coordination services.

 

Over the past couple of years, we have delivered a range of services to the project, and the decision by Dogger Bank Wind Farm to extend our relationship is testament to the level of service we have been able to deliver. We’re keen to keep building on this relationship over the coming months and years, supporting Dogger Bank Wind Farm in delivering a truly world leading project and what will become the UK’s largest single source of offshore renewable energy”.

 

For reference, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%), and Eni (20%).

 

SSE Renewables is leading on the development and construction of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, and Equinor will operate the windfarm on completion and during its expected operational life of around 35 years. SMC are currently supporting SSE Renewables with both Marine Coordination and Balance of Plant services during construction of the Seagreen offshore windfarm in Scotland.

 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm shall have a combined capacity of 3.6GW when completed and will be capable of powering 6 million UK homes. Visit https://doggerbank.com/ to find out more about the project, and https://smchse.com/ to learn more about SMC.

 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm facts:

 

The 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when completed in 2026.

 

It is being built in three 1.2GW phases: Dogger Bank A, B and C.

 

The project is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni (20%).

 

SSE Renewables is lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years.

 

Financial Close on Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B was reached in November 2020, with Financial Close for Dogger Bank C reached in December 2021. Taken in aggregate, reaching Financial Close on all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm is the largest offshore wind project financing to date globally.

 

Consent for Dogger Bank Wind Farm was granted in 2015.

 

Each of the three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm secured 15-year CfD contracts for 1.2GW of low carbon power for of low carbon power production in the UK’s third CfD Allocation Round, announced September 2019.

 

In May 2021, Dogger Bank Wind Farm took another major step forward after passing a required delivery milestone under the UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme for low carbon power.

 

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located in the North Sea, with each phase more than 130km from the Yorkshire Coast.

 

Onshore construction began in 2020 and is currently underway for Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B, with offshore construction on Dogger Bank A due to begin in Q2 2022. First power is expected in Summer 2023 and Summer 2024 for Dogger Bank A and B, respectively, with commercial operations to follow around 6 months later.

 

Onshore cable installation civils works for Dogger Bank C will start in Q1 2022, with construction of the onshore convertor station to commence in Q2 2022. Offshore export cable installation will commence in Q1 2024 with offshore platform installation to commence in Q2, 2024. Foundation installation will commence in Q3, 2024 while turbine installation will commence in Q2, 2025.

First power is anticipated in Q3, 2025 and full power in Q1, 2026.

 

More than 3000 new UK jobs have been announced so far that will be supported by the construction and operation of Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

 

These include up to 750 direct and around 1,500 indirect jobs associated with the set-up of a new world-class blade manufacturing facility on Teesside by LM Wind Power, a GE Renewable Energy business, with production due to start in 2023.

 

470 jobs are expected to be recruited by GE Renewable Energy across the north east of England in support of the delivery and operation of all three phases of the project. These will be made up of around 300 skilled roles for turbine installation and commissioning activities and 170 servicing roles at Port of Tyne under GE’s five-year Service and Warranty Agreements for Dogger Bank phases A, B and C once operational.

 

At least a further 30 roles will be hired by Equinor as operator of the wind farm, based at the Port of Tyne or offshore.

 

170 new full-time UK-based jobs will be created by North Star Renewables in crewing and shore-based roles for the operation of the service fleet for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

 

Up to 100 peak construction jobs will be created by Jones Bros. Civil Engineering, one of the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors, on the installation of onshore cable infrastructure for Dogger Bank A and B.

 

Dogger Bank A and B has confirmed GE’s Haliade-X 13MW as the turbine powering the first two phases of the project. As the first order for the Haliade-X 13MW, installation at Dogger Bank A will be the first time the turbine is installed in the world.

 

Installation of GE’s upscaled Haliade-X 14MW turbine at Dogger Bank C will be the first time the 14MW turbine is installed in the world.

 

One rotation of the Haliade-X turbine blades can power one UK home for more than two days.

 

The wind turbines will be installed on monopile foundations.

 

Dogger Bank will be the first High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connected wind farm in the UK due to its distance from shore, introducing new transmission systems to the UK and paving the way for other large offshore wind farms.

 

For more information about Dogger Bank Wind Farm visit www.doggerbank.com

SGRE Awards SMC 3rd Party Offshore Resource Contract

Posted: February 4th, 2022 in News

SMC have been awarded a contract to support Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) with 3rd Party Offshore Resource provision throughout their UK project portfolio.

 

SMC have supported SGRE (formerly Siemens Wind Power) operations since 2009, delivering solutions throughout the UK, EU and Asia to date, primarily in support of offshore commissioning works, however this latest award sees SMC and SGRE strengthen ties across their respective service divisions.

 

George Moore, Business Development Director at SMC commented, “we are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to build upon what is already a strong and productive relationship. Over the course of recent years, we have made significant strides within the offshore O&M market and the award of this contract further validates our position as a leading O&M service provider. We look forward to working with Siemens Gamesa in establishing a robust team of professionals whom they can call upon to deliver a truly ‘best in class’ service for the years to come”.

 

Initially, SMC will be deploying personnel to the London Array and East Anglia One offshore windfarms, both sites in which we have a strong track record through provision of Offshore Resource, QHSE, Balance of Plant, and Marine Coordination solutions.

 

To learn more about SMC Recruitment Services, see https://smchse.com/services/recruitment-services/

 

Visit https://www.siemensgamesa.com/en-int to learn more about SGRE operations.

Orsted UK Statutory Inspection, Service and Maintenance

Posted: January 25th, 2022 in News

SMC have been awarded a multi-year framework agreement to support Orsted with Statutory Inspection, Service and Maintenance works across their UK collection of offshore windfarms.

 

This is the second successive framework awarded to SMC for these works in the UK and, following on from the award of a similar contract within in the EU issued to SMC in 2021, highlights the strength of service we have been able to deliver to Orsted throughout what is a growing portfolio of offshore wind projects.

 

Dean Coates, Operations Director at SMC commented, “we are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue supporting Orsted with these essential services. We have placed significant emphasis on driving forward a solution based on the highest standards of quality and safety, and the collaborative nature of our relationship with Orsted has allowed us to build a truly best in class statutory inspection division. Moving into 2022 and beyond, we’re really excited by the opportunity to further develop our people, service offering, and working relationship with Orsted, in keeping with our commitments to maintain our position as the ‘gold standard’ for offshore inspection and maintenance services”.

 

Visit https://smchse.com/services/construction-inspection-and-maintenance/ to find out more about our inspection and maintenance services.

 

Visit https://orsted.co.uk/ to learn more about Orsted.

Transmission Investment re-sign SMC for Confined Space Inspections

Posted: June 5th, 2021 in News

SMC have been awarded a contract to return to Gunfleet Sands on behalf of Transmission Investment (TI). The contract includes confined space Statutory Inspection works at the TI managed offshore substation. 

SMC have been working with Transmission Investment for a number of years, and we are pleased to build upon this relationship.

 

Our work in the Statutory Inspection, Service and Maintenance field of offshore wind projects is comprehensive. Further details of our offering can be found by clicking https://smchse.com/services/construction-inspection-and-maintenance/

 

To learn more about Transmission Investment, see https://tinv.com/

Orsted EU Statutory Inspection

Posted: March 5th, 2021 in News

SMC have been awarded a multi-year framework agreement to support Orsted with Statutory Inspection, Service and Maintenance solutions across their European Union portfolio of projects, located throughout Germany, The Netherlands, and Denmark.  

 

SMC maintain an existing framework agreement to support Orsted with similar services throughout the UK. The award of this contract demonstrates the effectiveness with which we have been able to support Orsted through our UK framework and allows us to continue to develop a robust workforce of specialists and apprentices that are aligned to the standards and ethos of our two companies.  

SMC Awarded Orsted SIAW Contracts for the UK & Germany

Posted: June 23rd, 2020 in News

Orsted have awarded SMC (Specialist Marine Consultants) two contracts to provide Structural Inspection Above Water services to WTG foundation assets across their portfolio both in the Germany and in United Kingdom.

For reference, Orsted have 4 operational offshore windfarms in Germany and 11 in the United Kingdom, with 2 under construction and further developments planned.

George Moore, Business Development Manager at SMC commented, “Orsted and SMC first collaborated in 2009 and we are extremely pleased to have continued building on our early successes together for over a decade now. Our above water inspection and maintenance division really is thriving, and this contract gives us another opportunity to demonstrate why we are considered a gold standard within this market”.

SMC awarded Triton Knoll contract

Posted: November 30th, 2019 in News

  • SMC to supply marine coordination, technician and inspection services during construction

  • Contract can support local jobs and international growth

Up to 35 new jobs could be created in the Grimsby coastal community as Triton Knoll continues to drive investment into the region’s rapidly expanding offshore support sector.

Specialist Marine Consultants Ltd (SMC) is the latest local company to be awarded a contract by the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm project, which is led by Innogy.

This latest contract will provide much needed experience for new and upcoming talent in the industry and will help SMC grow a workforce for the future – strengthening its expertise and competitiveness in global markets like Japan and Taiwan.

Julian Garnsey, Project Director for Triton Knoll and Innogy, said the contract was great for the project and for the local area: “SMC is a competitive company with ambitions for growth in offshore wind, having transitioned from the oil and gas industry into the renewables sector”.

“We are very pleased to have their expertise onboard at Triton Knoll and to be supporting their growth and all that brings with it – opportunities for jobs and for investment into the north east coastal region”.

 “The commitment of Triton Knoll to engage local, competitive businesses is a direct reflection of our desire to help develop the UK supply chain’s capability and encourage the export of UK offshore wind expertise around the world.”

Triton Knoll is a state-of-the-art 857MW offshore wind farm, consisting of 90 of the world’s most powerful turbines, and representing a significant investment in new UK energy infrastructure.

Offshore construction is due to start in Q1 2020, during which SMC will provide marine coordination services. They will also provide some 30 site technicians to maintain the offshore foundations and assets, which includes the statutory inspections and testing requirements for the assets to remain in service and accessible. In addition to the personnel supply, SMC shall be providing, managing and re-certifying specialist offshore Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and will also be responsible for Triton Knoll’s inspection requirements for the vessels required to build the wind farm located 20 miles out in the North Sea.

The offshore activity will take place out of Triton Knoll’s new, multi-million-pound base being constructed in Grimsby, and which is already the focal point for recruitment and training both for the project and for SMC.

Captain Ian Coates established SMC in 2006 and it has since grown from a single employee to a business of over 170 people at peak times, with teams now located and leading projects around the world.

He said: “This contract award with Triton Knoll is fantastic; a real milestone for us”.

 “It is an important step in our ambitions for growth, and means we now have the chance to employ more people from the area. Locally, we would hope to create around 35 jobs through the construction period – bringing new people into the sector and hopefully retaining them to work on future projects. We will also be investing in kit from local regional and UK suppliers, as well as using local vessel inspectors”.

“Offshore wind offers some great, long-term opportunities for young people, with the chance of jobs for life and fantastic opportunities for progression. Contracts like this with Triton Knoll mean we can give new people a taste of offshore life and hopefully develop and integrate them into both our own business and the wider sector.”

Located 32km off the Lincolnshire coast, Triton Knoll is the largest offshore wind farm currently in construction by Innogy and once fully operational will be capable generating renewable energy equivalent to the needs of over 800,000 typical UK households. (2)

The project is owned by Innogy (59%), J-Power (25%) and Kansai Electric Power (16%), with Innogy managing the construction as well as the long-term operation and maintenance works, on behalf of its project partners.

 

Click https://www.tritonknoll.co.uk/ to learn more about the project

SMC awarded Marine Coordination on Yunlin, Taiwan

Posted: November 5th, 2019 in News

SMC have been awarded a contract to provide Marine Coordination services across wpd’s 640MW Yunlin offshore windfarm project in Taiwan.

Yunlin will be built eight kilometres off the Taiwanese west coast and will become Taiwan’s largest commercial offshore windfarm, when commissioned, consisting of 80 Siemens Gamesa 8MW class WTGs.

This award represents SMC’s 4th Marine Coordination contract in Taiwan and their 39th globally. Once again SMC will be working with SeaPlanner’s Marine Management System to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of services throughout the project.

Dean Coates, SMC Operations Director and Taiwan Manager, stated, “Once again we are proud to be at the forefront of delivering Marine Coordination services in Taiwan. Our experience working in the region will be used to great effect as we support Yunlin in delivering a successful project. We are extremely pleased to have our first opportunity to work for wpd and we can’t wait to get started. This project will also provide us with the opportunity to develop local skill sets – something we remain committed to both in Europe and the APAC region”.

The Yunlin project is 73% owned by wpd and 27% owned by a Sojitz Corp-led consortium which includes Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc., Chudenko Corporation, Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc., and JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation.

 

Check out our Marine Services here https://smchse.com/services/marine-services-marine-coordination-vessel-inspection-marine-consultancy/

SMC provide Marine Coordination services to SGRE to Formosa 1 offshore windfarm

Posted: August 28th, 2019 in News

SMC have been awarded a contract to provide Marine Coordination services to SGRE across what will be Taiwan’s first commercial offshore windfarm, Formosa 1.

The Formosa 1 project will comprise 20 6MW Siemens Gamesa WTGs and will become Taiwan’s first commercial offshore windfarm, with an eventual capacity of 120MW.

This contract award further strengthens the relationship between SMC and SGRE, who have worked together on offshore wind projects across Europe since 2009. Formosa 1 represents the 35th Marine Coordination project SMC have delivered to the Offshore Wind sector and again emphasises the company’s role as a market leading provider of the service.

SMC Operations Director, Dean Coates, commented, “We are extremely pleased to continue our work with SGRE on what is yet another flagship endeavour for both companies. This contract is our 3rd Marine Coordination contract in Taiwan, adding to our experience in providing further services to the region. Taiwan and the wider East Asian market have become a particularly important area of focus for SMC in recent years and we look forward to providing continued and experienced support to this emerging market”.

 

Checkout our range of marine services here https://smchse.com/services/marine-services-marine-coordination-vessel-inspection-marine-consultancy/

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