The NHV Group has secured a new contract with Siemens Gamesa to provide helicopter services in support of the Rentel offshore wind farm project in the Belgian North Sea.
The operations are expected to start in October 2018. Flights will depart from NHV’s base in Ostend to the Rentel offshore wind farm located approximately 40 kilometres from Ostend.
The 309MW Rentel wind farm comprises 42 7.35MW Siemens Gamesa D7 offshore wind turbines. With their tip height of 183 meters, the new wind turbines will be the largest thus far installed in the Belgian North Sea.
“NHV has a proven history with Siemens Gamesa and in Belgium. I’m confident that our joint commitment to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-efficient helicopter operations will allow us to serve our customer well,” said An Stroobandt , Managing Director Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy BVBA/SPRL in Belgium.
NHV will support this project utilizing the H145T2 aircraft, the latest Airbus Helicopter 4-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcraft.
NHV’s base manager Bram De Backer said: ”Thanks to our continued investments in fleet, equipment and training, NHV has the skills and experience to provide Siemens Gamesa with safe and reliable helicopter operations. This contract also fits in our company’s long-term strategy to broaden our range of services to the energy market and grow our renewables service alongside our oil and gas service.”
Earlier this summer, the NHV Group also started supporting Siemens Gamesa in the construction of the Beatrice offshore wind farm. These H175 operations are departing out of Aberdeen, Scotland.