Having supplied 14 cranes for Hornsea 1 offshore windfarm, Palfinger has announced an important part of its lifting gear contract for Hornsea 2.
At the heart of the Hornsea 2 installation is the offshore substation (OSS). These offshore substations collect the power from the wind turbines, stabilize and maximize the voltage of the power generated, and transmit the electricity to shore with as little loss as possible. Halfway to the coastline 120 kilometers away is the reactive compensation station (RCS), which allows transmission over much longer cables using high-voltage alternating current. Palfinger will equip the OSS with one telescopic crane (DKT400), two davit cranes (PF17000) and the RCS with one stiff-boom crane (PSM400) and two davit cranes (PF17000). Both substations are constructed by Sembcorp Marine’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sembcorp Marine Offshore Platforms. The cranes will be used to safely load and unload cargo between the crew transfer vessels and the decks of the substations, even in the most adverse conditions (for which the North Sea is well-known).
Palfinger Singapore is also involved in this project, having received the order from Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine to install the telescopic, stiff boom and davit cranes. Palfinger Singapore’s involvement ensures language and geographical barriers are resolved while providing local expertise in terms of the legal framework and after-sales requirements in the region. Alexander Lee, Area Sales Manager in Singapore, plays a vital part in this global contract. “We are working closely with our long-term business partner, Sembcorp Marine Offshore Platforms, and are coordinating the sophisticated requirements with our design engineers in Austria and Norway.”
By Jake Frith