The huge logistical operation needed to assemble giant Haliade-X turbines for Dogger Bank – the world’s largest offshore wind farm to enter service so far – will be helped by specially-trained crane crews, said GE Renewable Energy as it unveiled its latest contractor for the 3.6GW project.
The US turbine group will tap the local unit of crane specialist Mammoet for heavy lifting and transport at the marshalling harbour for the wind farm at Able Seaton Port on Teesside, northeast England.
GE said the logistics specialist will be crucial to smooth running of the assembly and dispatch of 277 sets of blades, nacelles and towers for the $11bn Dogger Bank, which will meet around 5% of UK electricity demand when complete in 2026.
Under the deal, Mammoet will train crane crews to carry out the Dogger Bank work at an academy set up at its UK headquarters close to the project site.
Local content and service provision is a live issue in UK offshore wind, with projects keen to show they are delivering economic value as well as green power.
Mammoet UK managing director Mark Sadler said: “Securing the project means even greater potential investment and business growth that will expand our existing pool of highly skilled labour with renewables expertise in the region. We have a great opportunity to support GE and other businesses building the UK’s fast-growing offshore wind energy market.”
