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2023-07-19 1050
Installation vessels for offshore wind farms are in demand RWE to build offshore wind farms in the future with these modern installation vessels from Jan De Nul
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Special vessels are needed to transport the multi-ton components of offshore wind turbines to sea and install them on site. As offshore wind power is being expanded at a rapid pace worldwide, such vessels are currently in high demand. Energy company RWE has recently signed an agreement with Jan De Nul Group, a Luxembourg-based leading provider of key maritime services, to secure the long-term usage of two next-generation installation vessels for future offshore wind foundation and turbine construction. The en:former presents the vessels.
“Les Alizés” is a purpose-built vessel designed for transporting, lifting and installing wind turbine foundations. With the ability to lift up to 5,000 tonnes and with a deck loading capacity of 61,000 tonnes, she is future-proofed by being capable of handling the scale and design of future foundations that will support the next generation of wind turbines.
© Jan De Nul Group
“Les Alizés” has been chartered for more than five years. RWE plans to first deploy this vessel at its Danish offshore project Thor. Foundation installation works for this 1,000-megawatt wind farm are due to take place in 2025.
© Jan De Nul Group
“Voltaire” is the world’s largest jack-up installation vessel with a crane capacity of 3,200 tonnes and approximately 130-metre long legs. Her innovative design makes the vessel highly suitable for the installation of next-generation wind farms in deep waters.
© Jan De Nul Group
Subject to the project’s final investment decision, RWE plans to first use this vessel to install the turbines of its Hollandse Kust West VII wind farm off the Dutch coast. The vessel has been chartered to RWE for more than four years, from 2027 onwards.
© Jan De Nul Group
With this framework agreement, the two companies are continuing their cooperation. During 2021 and 2022, the Jan De Nul Group provided installation services supporting the construction of RWE's offshore wind farm Kaskasi off the German coast. More recently, the Jan De Nul Group was awarded the export and inter-array cable installation contracts for RWE's Thor offshore wind farm.
© RWE AG
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Photo credits: © RWE AG
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