Highlights of the Month: April 2016

World’s Largest OW Jack-Up Vessel Installs World’s Heaviest Monopile at Veja Mate OWF

Offshore construction of the Veja Mate offshore wind farm has started with Seajacks Scylla having installed the heaviest monopile produced so far at the project site, according to DGI Doedijns, which provided hydraulic and software equipment for the pile-gripper used at the project.

Gamesa Selling Adwen Stake to Clear Path for Siemens Merger?

Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa has offered to sell its 50% stake in Adwen to its French joint venture partner Areva to remove the last hurdle standing in way of its recently announced merger with Siemens.

Why the wind energy sector needs PhDs

The rapid growth of the wind energy sector relies on engineering know-how as much as it does on planning and regulatory changes. But the growth of the industry could be stunted if the sector doesn’t get enough doctoral-level graduates able to deliver the innovations needed.

Borssele I and II Tender Opens on 10 April

The Netherlands will start the tendering procedure for the Borssele I and II offshore wind farms on 10 April, following the last month’s adoption of the amendment to the Electricity Act 1998 which allowed further development of offshore wind energy projects in the country.

Siemens, SPR Sign Europe’s Largest Wind Turbine Contract

ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) has concluded a major East Anglia ONE deal with Siemens, worth up to one-third of the overall £ 2.5 billion (€ 3.2 billion) project investment. Under the agreement, Siemens will supply 102 wind turbines and service them for an initial period of five years.

Offshore Wind: A Playfield with Giant Toys (Photo Gallery)

The story of offshore wind farms moving farther from shore and wind turbines being installed in deeper waters does not finish with gigantic vessels and foundations, but extends to the almost entire supply chain, where equipment is also getting bigger and services are being adapted to the industry’s needs.

Siemens, DEME Team Up with EnBW on Kriegers Flak Bid

DEME Concessions Wind and Siemens Financial Services have joined Kriegers Flak ApS, a project company set up by EnBW for participating in Kriegers Flak tender procedure.

Photo of the Day: Horns Rev 3 Substation Topside Heading to Esbjerg

A 1,888 tonne topside built for the high voltage substation of the 400 MW Horns Rev 3 offshore wind farm left Schiedam last weekend and is en route to Esbjerg, Denmark.

France Launches Third Call for Offshore Wind Tenders

Ségolène Royal, French Minister of Environment, Energy and Marine, yesterday launched the third offshore wind call for tenders for an area off the coast of Dunkerque, identified as having favorable conditions for offshore wind development.

Van Oord Hired for Arkona’s Foundation Installation

E.ON has awarded the contract for the transport and installation of foundations at the Arkona offshore wind project in the German Baltic Sea to Van Oord.