July 2024

Turbine installation at the Saint-Brieuc wind farm has been completed. The first offshore wind farm project in Brittany was recently commissioned with the connection of the first wind turbines to the French grid, producing clean energy for the 610,000 inhabitants of the Côtes-d’Amor territory.

This is possible thanks to the total installed capacity of 496 MW from 62 turbines, each generating 8 MW of power, which cover a surface area of 75 square kilometers 16 kilometers off the French coast, in the sector of the North Sea. With an investment of 2.4 billion euros, it is estimated to be capable of generating enough clean energy power to 835,000 people, which will make the territory a positive energy municipality by producing more electricity than it consumes. For another segment of the project, Sarens was also tasked with installing three tower sections of the turbine onshore on the construction tower frame (CTF).

After finalizing the towers, the installation vessel Brave Tern loaded four complete towers, blades, and nacelles for the offshore turbine installation. Brittany is prone to strong winds and high tides, which have shaped the region’s landscape, economy, and way of life. The completion of the first large-scale offshore wind farm in Brittany will help harness the region’s full energy potential.

More info www.sarens.com

Ocean Winds recently awarded SarensPSG with the contract to provide the intermediate delivery base services for the Moray West monopiles. The Moray West offshore wind farm in Scotland is a key part of the country’s energy transition and the path to net zero carbon emissions. The U.K. is constantly growing in new power generation capacity to maintain a secure and affordable supply.

Wind power is part of the solution, and Scotland, where renewable wind capacity exceeds 11 GW, already contributes 39 percent of the U.K.’s capacity. Wind generates 78 percent of all renewable electricity output in Scotland. “SarensPSG has unparalleled expertise, innovation, and commitment to drive positive change in the renewable energy landscape,” said Steve Clark, SarensPSG managing director.

“As the industry continues to evolve, SarensPSG remains at the forefront, proving to be the Sustainability Accelerator.” SarensPSG maneuvers took place in the port of Invergordon and involved the marshalling of 62 monopiles, each weighing up to 2,000 metric tons, the largest and heaviest XXL monopiles ever to be handled in the U.K., with diameters reaching up to 10 meters and a length extending to 84.7 meters.

That stage was recently completed using a self-propelled modular transporter of 166 axle-lines. The SPMT configuration comprised two sets of 80 axle-lines each, complemented by a 6-axle setup for smaller components. The selection of this equipment was determined by its flexibility, enabling transport and handling operations throughout the project. To handle the huge monopiles, the crew also devised strategic storage arrangements and sequencing methodologies to ensure efficient access to the monopiles during load-out.

Once operational, the Moray West Offshore Wind Project will contribute to the decarbonization of energy and help in creation of local employment opportunities, aligning with broader sustainability objectives.

More info www.sarens.com