Energy platforms ordered for Norfolk offshore wind farms

The platforms will be delivered to the Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm in a joint effort by Drydocks World and Aker Solutions, DP World has announced.

Drydocks World is a DP World company and provides marine and offshore services to the shipping, oil, gas and energy sectors.

The company says it delivers more than 300 projects a year from its 200-hectare yard, which includes three graving docks and a floating dock, along with 3,700 metres of berth space.

It also has an in house built floating crane that can lift 2,000 tonnes.

The agreement with Aker Solutions aims to deliver the platforms for Vattenfall’s offshore wind zone development in the UK, off the eastern English coast.

This, Drydocks World says, heralds a new chapter in the company’s renewable energy business.

Aker Solutions will fabricate the substructure at its yard in Verdal, Norway, while the topside will be fabricated at Drydock World’s shipyard in Dubai.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “The Norfolk Vanguard West and East Offshore Wind Farm projects effectively demonstrate the focus Drydocks World has on developing the future energy mix landscape. Drydocks World and DP World have a shared vision for a sustainable future. By delivering world-class solutions for renewable energy projects like Norfolk Vanguard, Drydocks World can continue to build skills and capabilities across industries for a brighter future.”

Norfolk Vanguard, which is 50 kilometres off Norfolk’s coast, has been designed to generate 1.8GW of electricity.

Mixed messages

In July, Vattenfall halted its development of Norfolk Boreas, another wind farm in the same area that would have generated 1.4GW of electricity once commissioned.

“Due to significantly deteriorating market conditions in the last year since the war in Ukraine, plus the effects of rising costs and supply chain delays, Vattenfall has taken the very difficult decision to stop the current development track for the Norfolk Boreas Wind Farm part of the scheme,” it said in a company statement on July 26.

“As a team, we are disappointed that we can’t take Boreas forward at this time, but our work on the Norfolk Vanguard part of the Zone will continue as planned, and no doubt we’ll be kept just as busy as ever.

“While we are pausing work on Boreas, please rest assured that we remain fully focused and committed to delivering Norfolk Vanguard. The Norfolk Zone is one of the most innovative and ambitious offshore wind clusters ever designed, and we know progress doesn’t come without some challenges.”