S³ secures first major wind farm contract

S³ has already mobilised its vessel, the Sentinel, in order to undertake survey and debris clearance from the site.

Work on the project will involve the deployment of ROV equipment, use of the company’s hydraulic grab, survey, positioning equipment and seabed mapping systems in order to detect seabed targets such as natural boulders and manmade debris for inspection and possible removal. This debris clearance is necessary to ensure the seabed is clear for further development works.

S³ is fielding a 15 man team to carry out the project, which is expected to take 50 days to complete.

This work is in preparation for the installation of wind turbine foundations, the first of which was installed last month. Gwynt y Môr, which is being built 13km (8m) off the coast, is one of the largest offshore wind farms under construction in Europe. Once fully operational, energy generation is expected to be equivalent to the average annual needs of around 400,000 homes

Graeme Kidd, managing director at S³ said, “We are delighted that Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm Limited has awarded us this contract. This is the first major renewable contract that we have won to date and we hope more will follow. S³ is continually working on expanding its services and expertise, and securing contracts such as this which will help us in our strategy to expand our influence in the renewables industry and internationally.”

RWE npower renewables’ Gwynt y Môr project director Toby Edmonds said, “We are delighted to appoint another UK based company to work on this nationally significant offshore renewables project.

So far, Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm Limited has awarded contracts worth more than £310m to companies across the UK.”