The Netherlands – Seaway 7, the primary contractor for the Seagreen offshore wind farm, has engaged Van Oord to provide scour protection around the 114 wind turbine foundations. This wind farm is located in Scotland, 27 kilometres off the coast of Angus.
The 1.1 GW offshore wind farm’s wind turbines will be erected on three-legged jacket foundations. Scour protection is required following the installation of these jackets to prevent erosion. This is accomplished through the use of highly precise rock installation around the jackets.
Van Oord is delivering the high dynamic flexible fallpipe vessel Bravenes for this unique project, which began in late October 2021. This vessel employs a novel technique of installing subsea rock, owing to the automated fallpipe system that may be skidded over the vessel’s side. This leads in highly precise and efficient rock installation close to the jacket foundations when a powerful Remote Operating Vehicle is used (ROV).
Additionally, the flexible fallpipe vessel Nordnes will be deployed to safeguard multiple cable crossings from scour. All subsea operations will take place in waters up to 50 metres deep.
When finished, the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm will be the largest fixed bottom offshore wind farm in Scotland and the globe. It will contribute significantly to Scotland’s net-zero energy ambition and generate enough clean, renewable energy to power 1.6 million homes.