Samson and Goliath meet giant wind turbines

Clean power generators on their way to Irish Sea stop off at Belfast ship yard for pre-assembly.

The Nacelle offload in Belfast - Picture by Chris Matthews at Harland and Wolff.

The first of nine consignments of turbines and towers, destined for Vattenfall’s Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm, arrived at Harland and Wolff in Belfast on Sunday 16th January and deliveries will continue until the end of March.

The turbines and towers were unloaded by Harland and Wolff personnel and stored ready for pre-assembly and delivery to the wind farm, eventually 30 wind turbines will be pre-assembled at the yard in the shadow of its mighty cranes, Samson and Goliath.

 

Offload of Nacelle with Vattenfall logotype - Picture by Gweena Corbel, ode Site Manager, Belfast, Ormonde off shore wind farm.

Harland and Wolff is being used for its logistics and assembly services and David Hodkinson, UK Country Manager for Vattenfall, said: "We are delighted that Vattenfall's Ormonde offshore wind project is supporting employment at Harland and Wolff's facility in Belfast and we are looking to working with them to deliver this part of the project safely and cost effectively. The delivery of the towers and turbines is not only an important development for our project, but also underlines Vattenfall’s commitment to work with suppliers to strengthen the UK supply chain for the offshore wind sector, which will underpin the delivery of the planned large scale expansion of offshore wind around the UK coast."

He added: “We are pleased that the construction programme is on schedule and we look forward to the first power being generated in the early summer”.

Robert Cooper, Harland and Wolff’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to see the first elements of this significant project arrive at the Harland and Wolff yard. This is our third offshore wind farm logistics project in four years and the largest turbines we have handled to date. Vattenfall are a demanding customer who requires the best; our vast facilities and experienced personnel are again demonstrating their unique flexibility and capability. When this project is considered alongside the current manufacture of two large offshore platforms in our fabrication halls, renewable energy is securing hundreds of local jobs within H&W and within the local supply chain.”

Charles Hendry, Minister of State for Energy, said: “We have a fantastic offshore resource in Britain and Northern Ireland which we’re determined to make the most of. Using these natural resources not only helps our energy security and climate ambitions, but can boost jobs and manufacturing too.

“We are determined to see more of the supply chain investment coming to our ports and it is welcome news that Vattenfall has chosen to harness the Harland and Wolff facilities and skills for the Ormonde project.”
Several shipments of towers, blades and wind turbines are expected, the first having left Cuxhaven in Germany on Friday 14th January on the transportation vessel ‘Maria’. Transportation and installation of the 30 wind turbines to the wind farm site is expected to commence on schedule.
Each wind turbine, once installed will be 160 metres above sea level; the rotor is 126 metres in diameter and two acres in area - twice the size of a football pitch.

Vattenfall with the support of their project managers, ode Ltd, will start cable lying to connect the Ormonde Offshore Wind Farm to the high voltage national grid shortly