Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm’s emergency response procedures in handling a major offshore incident will be tested through a rigorous practice entitled Exercise Sheringham Response on 10 September 2015.
Jason Halsey Power Plant Manager at Sheringham Shoal said: “We actively work to create an environment where safety is our first and highest priority when operating the Sheringham Shoal.”
“The sea can be a very hostile environment, where conditions can change very quickly, so it’s essential that we create opportunities to test our crisis procedures to ensure we can efficiently mobilise our response should there be ever be an incident offshore.”
Exercise Sheringham Response will involve the use of a helicopter and an RNLI lifeboat to evacuate ‘injured’ personnel from one or more wind turbines in the wind arm field, and it will also practice and prove all the co-ordination and communication links required to manage such an incident.
It is being co-ordinated by Gavin Graham, Sheringham Shoal’s site representative, who added: ”The Exercise presents a great opportunity to work closely with organisations such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to share knowledge and refine our procedures, ensuring we’re well prepared to work together effectively in the event of an incident.“
The 317MW Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, which is operated by Statkraft, is situated between 9-17 miles off the coast of North Norfolk, and in 2014 its 88 wind turbines produced 1088GWh, sufficient electricity for 260,000 UK homes.