Met mast installed for Rampion Windfarm

The works included the installation of a lattice tower structure, the top of which was 110m above LAT, along with the associated telemetry and navigation aid systems. Fugro worked with a number of experienced subcontractors to design and fabricate the monopile and electronic systems, taking on the whole project from first to last.

The foundation comprises a 45.8m monopile which is 2.5m diameter and weighs 175 tonnes. A 10m tall topside piece incorporating the main working platform was bolted to the monopile offshore. The pile was transported in one piece, including floatation bungs, to the mobilisation berth in Newhaven where Fugro Seacore’s jack-up barge Excalibur lifted the pile into the water.

Work was undertaken at a water depth of 19m, with a further 6m tidal range. The ground conditions were stiff to very stiff sandy clay and dense sands, with an upper gravel layer.

Once Excalibur, which had full storm survival ability, was on site, the pile was towed out and lifted into the pile gates ready for driving using IHC’s S800 hammer. Within three days of the pile lifting operation the external J-tube, access ladders, boat fenders, main platform and the 93m tall lattice tower had been installed to complete the main structural works. Navigation aids were subsequently installed and commissioned, followed by the main telemetry system including anemometers, wind vanes and associated sensors.

The project was handled in its entirety by Fugro Seacore. Bob Jenkins, the company’s MD said, “Ours was a true ‘one-stop-shop’ solution for E.ON.”

He added that the company designed, built and installed the mast with owner operated equipment and specialist crew, “drawing on our previous experience and expertise of met mast design, build and installation work.”

Delivery, installation and commissioning were successfully carried out, and the mast is currently recording data for the E.ON Climate and Renewables team.