Intertek Backs French Offshore Wind Farms

Intertek Energy & Water consultancy services (formerly Metoc), the leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, is providing marine advisory services for offshore surveys and export cable installation to Réseau de Transporte d’Electricité (RTE) for two French offshore wind projects.

RTE is the French electricity transmission services operator and an independent subsidiary of the French utility company, EDF.

France is now entering the installation phase of the Government Tender 1 offshore wind projects, the first stage of their offshore wind programme. The developers have recognised a clear need for advice from experts within the marine consultancy sector to help reduce risk through the development and in the supply chain.

Intertek is providing marine consultancy for ongoing risk management, drafting specifications for the procurement of geotechnical and geophysical works, supporting RTE for contract works, and providing procurement support for the cable installation and protection phase of the developments.

The agreement, which includes the 480MW St Nazaire and the 500MW St Brieuc offshore wind farm projects, will enable RTE to ensure that its connections to the French grid are completed to the highest standards, helping reduce project risk and mitigating against any unforeseen delay.

“French offshore project developers have the opportunity to learn important lessons from their counterparts based in the UK and Germany,” said James Hunt, Head of Offshore Development & Cables, Intertek.

“As such, a core part of this process entails understanding the risks and complexities that are inherent in the offshore wind supply chain.”

He continued, “Following the French government’s announcement of its second round of offshore wind tenders, there will be strong focus placed on the progress from round one. We will be working closely with RTE to ensure that its exposure to risks in the marine surveying supply chain is reduced, which will also help safeguard the reputation of the embryonic French offshore wind industry.”

Eric Fournier, project director for RTE commented, “In a rapidly emerging market like offshore wind, it’s imperative that project developers, consultants and stakeholders work closely together in order to quickly deliver against a complex brief.”

“Having already worked with Intertek on a number of different initiatives over the past eighteen months, I am delighted to be in a position to work with them again during this critical phase of project works.”

To date, Intertek has worked on over 30 offshore wind energy projects in the UK and 5 in Germany.

Intertek Energy & Water consultancy services is a leading international consultancy specialising in technical services in the marine, coastal and river environments. Its expertise helps reduce risk for clients through all stages of a development, from concept, feasibility and design, through construction and operation, to decommissioning. Key sectors are Oil & Gas, offshore Renewables and marine Cables, and Water, where it partners with operators, developers, utilities, lenders and government.

[mappress]

Press release, February 28, 2013; Image: developpement-durable