The largest harbour crane in the UK arrived at Able Seaton Port on Thursday 20th February, marking a major step forward in Able UK’s expansion of its port facilities on both the Tees and the Humber. See featured images which shows the crane arriving at Able Seaton Port (home page
The head of Able UK has said today that its marine energy park development on the River Humber is ‘uniquely placed’ to deliver the ambition for the UK to become a world leader in wind energy set out by the Prime Minister today. Speaking to the Conservative Party conference Boris
Triton Knoll investment enables port transformation Able Seaton Port welcomes first ever turbine components to site All 15 blades to arrive are manufactured by MHI Vestas in the UK Triton Knoll is marking a series of project ‘firsts’ as turbine blades destined to be installed at the 857MW offshore wind
GE Renewable Energy to supply 190 Haliade-X turbines for Dogger Bank A and B The project will be first in the world to feature the 13MW variant of GE Renewable Energy’s Haliade-X platform GE confirms marshaling harbor activities at Able Seaton in Hartlepool will create around 120 jobs and service
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The largest harbour crane in the UK arrived at Able Seaton Port on Thursday 20th February, marking a major step forward in Able UK’s expansion of its port facilities on both the Tees and the Humber. See featured images which shows the crane arriving at Able Seaton Port (home page image) and leaving Rostock Port, Germany (below) on board the 105-metres long vessel MV Merry. The multi-million Leibherr LHM600SHL mobile crane is being delivered from Rostock in Germany. It has been specially adapted to meet Able’s specialist requirements…it is able to lift 208 tonnes, has a 58 metres radius with its hook height increased from the standard 45 metres to 64 metres, together with an increased fulcrum height in order to reach over tall structures such as semi-submersible oil rigs. It will be used for wide range of activities associated with handling project cargo, particularly components for the offshore wind sector, as well as maintaining offshore oil and gas drilling rigs and other general port-related activities. It is expected that around 40 new jobs will be created as a result of this investment. The arrival of the crane follows on from a recent series of positive announcements for the company–—including the granting by the Government of a development Consent Order for its 900-acre Able Marine Energy Park project on the South Bank of the Humber It was also announced recently that Able has been awarded a contract for the disposal of four offshore structures from the Shell operated Brent Field in the North Sea. The contract will see three platform topsides, as well as a 138m high steel platform jacket, transported from the Brent field over 100 miles north east of Scotland to Able Seaton Port. Says Able UK Managing Director Andrew Jacques “The acquisition of this specialist crane underlines our future proofing to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible service to meet the needs of our customers…it will certainly help to attract more business to Seaton Port and the Tees. providing more opportunities for local businesses and further complimenting the construction of new quays at Seaton Port—one of which will be used for loading of single-piece offshore structures of up to 48,000 tonnes.”
The head of Able UK has said today that its marine energy park development on the River Humber is ‘uniquely placed’ to deliver the ambition for the UK to become a world leader in wind energy set out by the Prime Minister today. Speaking to the Conservative Party conference Boris Johnson announced £160m to upgrade ports and factories for building turbines to help the country ‘build back greener’, create 2,000 jobs in construction and support 60,000 more. Said Able UK Executive Chairman Pater Stephenson “That the Prime Minister, even in these difficult times, chooses to focus on the burgeoning offshore wind sector is proof positive that the Government is seeing the bigger picture and wishes to grasp this singular but time limited opportunity. “Of course, the reality is that before we can talk about manufacturing and maximising UK content, we need to put the building blocks in place and the fully consented Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP) is uniquely placed to deliver the ideal UK solution. Working closely with a number if Government departments we are committed to bringing this development to fruition. “We are at varying stages of negotiation with a number of manufacturers who clearly recognise the strength of the UK’s offshore wind sector and who, just as significantly, are fully embracing the need to establish a new ‘world-scale’ industrial cluster on the Humber.” “Only last month the Korean manufacturer SeAH confirmed that it had signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding with AMEP to establish what would be the UK’s first large-scale monopile production facility.”
Triton Knoll investment enables port transformation Able Seaton Port welcomes first ever turbine components to site All 15 blades to arrive are manufactured by MHI Vestas in the UK Triton Knoll is marking a series of project ‘firsts’ as turbine blades destined to be installed at the 857MW offshore wind farm, arrive at its chosen construction port in Teesside. Able Seaton Port, near Hartlepool, is receiving offshore wind turbine components for the first time in its history, after a combined multi-million pound investment has helped transform the port into a specialist assembly and construction facility for use on the project by turbine supplier MHI Vestas Offshore Wind. Triton Knoll, which is being constructed by RWE(1), will install and operate 90 MHI Vestas state-of-the-art V164-9.5 MW turbines, each stretching 164 metres tip to tip, and capable of powering a typical home for up to 29 hrs with a single rotation of its 80 metre long blades. The first 15 turbine blades to arrive at the port were manufactured by MHI Vestas at its Isle of Wight UK facility and finished at its Fawley plant across the Solent. Julian Garnsey, Project Director for Triton Knoll and RWE Renewables, said: “Triton Knoll has made a significant investment into Able Seaton Port to establish wind turbine handling facilities there for the first time. It’s an investment that secures the North East of England at the very heart of the delivery of Triton Knoll, and which leaves a lasting legacy for future offshore wind farm projects to be constructed from the region. “At Triton Knoll we remain committed to ensuring that our investments from this flagship project benefit local coastal communities, and the UK’s expanding offshore supply chain as much as possible. We are delighted to be working with MHI Vestas and Able UK delivering this new UK infrastructure, and to see the first Triton Knoll components arriving at Seaton, ready to begin installation early next year.” MHI Vestas recently moved onto the 140,000 sq metre Able Seaton Port, where it is establishing a full turbine logistics and pre-assembly hub for the RWE-managed joint venture project. During its site preparations, MHI Vestas has prioritised UK companies in the delivery of the project. ASP now hosts technicians on-site from local suppliers, including Global Wind Service (GWS), Dawson and Boston Energy, as well as MHI Vestas employees. The main crane and Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) to be used at ASP for moving turbine components will be supplied by Weldex, based out of Alfreton, UK. Finally, site stevedoring services are supplied by Able. MHI Vestas Project Director Torben Damsgaard said: “We are proud that first components, including our blades from the Isle of Wight, for the V164-9.5 MW turbines have now been delivered to the pre-assembly site at Able Seaton. Our V164 turbines are currently the largest turbines installed in commercial projects in the world, and the 80m blades to be used at Triton Knoll will be the largest blades installed in UK waters. MHI Vestas is committed to the UK, as not only are these world-leading blades produced in the UK, but the Triton Knoll project as a whole is bringing substantial value to local communities. The successful preparation of the Able Seaton site has been one key value driver, as the joint effort by AbleUK and MHI Vestas to prepare the site will pay dividends to the Teesside region as an offshore wind hub for the present and future.” Able’s transformation of the site is a clear sign of its intent for the future as the facility, renowned for end-of-life handling of oil and gas platforms, is gearing up for a future supporting the renewable energy industry. It began the transformation of ASP ready for Triton Knoll in November 2019, and has established a 140,000 sq metre handling facility with specialist quayside, complete with roads and utilities infrastructure, accommodation and office units for those working on site. Peter Stephenson, Able’s Executive Chairman said: “There is no doubt in my mind that offshore wind is fast becoming a key element not only in terms of clean power generation, but also as a major factor that will drive the whole economy forward. The UK has the biggest market and our combined task is to seek to maximise local content and activity. We play our part by developing specialist future-proofed facilities that meet the demanding needs of our customer.” The state-of-the-art Triton Knoll offshore wind farm will have a maximum installed capacity of 857 MW and, once fully operational, will be one of the three largest offshore wind farms in the world, capable of powering the equivalent of over 800,000 UK homes(2). The project is located over 32 kilometres off the Lincolnshire coast, with a turbine array that covers an area of 145 square kilometres, bigger than the City of Manchester. It is jointly owned by RWE, J-Power and Kansai Electric Power, with RWE managing the wind farm’s construction and long-term operation and maintenance works, on behalf of its project partners.For more information about the project, please visit: www.tritonknoll.co.uk (1) RWE Renewables RWE Renewables, the newest subsidiary of the RWE Group, is one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies. With around 3,500 employees, the company has onshore and offshore wind farms, photovoltaic plants and battery storage facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 9 gigawatts. RWE Renewables is driving the expansion of renewable energy in more than 15 countries on four continents. For further growth a net investment budget of €5 billion is available until 2022. When adding in possible partnerships, the medium term investment budget could reach up to €9 billion. The focus is on the Americas, the core markets in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. (2) Energy Generation It is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site could be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of an expected minimum of 800,000 average UK households. Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal is derived using wind speeds monitored in the local area and correlated with long term
GE Renewable Energy to supply 190 Haliade-X turbines for Dogger Bank A and B The project will be first in the world to feature the 13MW variant of GE Renewable Energy’s Haliade-X platform GE confirms marshaling harbor activities at Able Seaton in Hartlepool will create around 120 jobs and service activities from the Port of Tyne will create around 120 jobs GE Renewable Energy announced today that it has finalized supply contracts (subject to final notification to proceed) with Dogger Bank Wind Farm (a 50:50 joint venture between SSERenewables and Equinor) for the first two phases of what will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm.These first two phases (Dogger Bank A & B) will each feature 95 Haliade-X 13MW wind turbines. The agreements will include a total of 190 units of the 13MW Haliade-X wind turbine, and a five-year Service & Warranty agreement to provide operational support for the wind turbines. GE’s Service team will be co-located with the Dogger Bank Operational and Maintenance team, based out of the Port of Tyne. The Haliade-X 13MW is an enhanced version of the successful 12MW unit which has been operating in Rotterdam since November 2019 and which recently secured its provisional type certificate§ from DNV-GL. The uprated13MW Haliade-X will also feature 107-meter long blades and 220-meter rotor. One spin of the Haliade-X 13MWcan generate enough electricity to power a UK household for more than two days. John Lavelle, President & CEO, Offshore Wind at GE Renewable Energy, said, “We are delighted to take the next step in developing the most advanced proven technology in the market. At GE, innovation is in our DNA, and that is why we continue to innovate, enhance and develop the Haliade-X platform to meet market demands to deliver offshore wind as a competitive and affordable source of renewable energy. In signing these agreements with Dogger Bank, our Haliade-X technology will now have an important role to play in the UK’s offshore wind ambitions (40GW by 2030) and greenhouse emission reduction to “net-zero” by 2050.” Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said: “I am thrilled to see so many green jobs on the way to the North East of England thanks to our world-leading offshore wind industry. Projects like Dogger Bank are absolutely crucial to building back greener from the coronavirus pandemic – creating jobs, growing the economy and tackling climate change. I look forward to watching its progress in the months and years ahead.” Peter Stephenson, ABLE UK’s Executive Chairman, commented: “We have enjoyed a long and constructive relationship with GE Renewable Energy culminating in today’s announcement – it’s a massive vote of confidence for the company and the UK. Our sustained investment at Able Seaton Port means we can provide a bespoke and tailor-made solution for Dogger Bank. “We are delighted that 120 skilled jobs will be based here at the Port, in this exciting and growing industry. The offshore wind sector will increase four-fold by 2030 through the Sector Deal, and with the increasingly demanding targets for low carbon power generation, there is an unparalleled level of market visibility. Combine this with the sectors’ extraordinary efforts in terms of developing new products and significantly reducing costs, this industry is set to become a dominant factor in a post Covid 19 UK economy.” Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank’s Project Director at SSE Renewables said: “Signing the contract with GE Renewable Energy is not just great news for Dogger Bank and GE, but for the wider offshore wind industry, marking the first time a 13MW turbine will be installed in the world. “In addition to this, today’s announcement will bring huge economic benefits to the North East of England, where120 skilled jobs will be created during construction of the wind farm, along with 120 skilled jobs during the maintenance phase. “These turbines are a true testament of how hard the offshore wind industry is working to continually innovate and drive down costs and we look forward to working with GE Renewable Energy to help us deliver the largest offshore wind farm in the world.” Halfdan Brustad, vice president for Dogger Bank at Equinor, said: “We want Dogger Bank to be a flagship project that leads the way in both digitalisation and innovative technology, so it is a great honor to confirm that this project will be the first in the world to use these powerful turbines. “The sheer scale of Dogger Bank brings huge opportunities to the UK. As well as being home to the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the North East will benefit from hundreds of jobs and local supply chain opportunities. We look forward to working with our partners and suppliers to build up a skilled team in the area, to operate and maintain these turbines for the lifetime of the wind farm from our new base, which will be constructed at the Port of Tyne.” The Service & Warranty agreements for the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm will account for around 120of the Operational and Maintenance jobs that will be based from the Port of Tyne. In addition, GE RenewableEnergy has also confirmed that it will establish its marshalling construction team activities at Able Seaton Port in Hartlepool. This port will serve as the hub for all equipment marshalling, installation and commissioning activities, resulting in the creation of an estimated 120 jobs during the construction period. Recruitment activities are likely to begin early next year. The contracts with Dogger Bank Wind Farm are subject to a Notice to Proceed from project joint venture partners SSE Renewables and Equinor. Financial close on Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B is expected in late 2020. The Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located over 130 km off the north-east coast of England and will be capable of powering up to 4.5 million homes each year when complete in 2026. Due to its size and scale, the site is being built in three consecutive phases; Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C.
