Sarens, a global leader in heavy lifting and transport, has been commissioned to support maintenance for Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating wind farm. This project, located at the Port of Wergeland in Norway, involves the upkeep of five floating wind turbines. Sarens’ role includes lifting the nacelles and blades from the turbines, transporting components, and using specialized equipment to handle the heavy loads.
Hywind Scotland is a 30 MW pilot park operated by Hywind (Scotland) Limited, sitting 25 kilometers offshore from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. The farm supplies enough energy to power around 35,000 homes in the UK. The floating turbines, mounted on SPAR-type foundations, are undergoing maintenance at Wergeland Base before being reconnected to their offshore site.
For this project, Sarens utilized advanced equipment, including the LR12500-1.0 crane with a tagline system. This crane, first used in Rostock, Germany, is a state-of-the-art tool designed for heavy lifting in offshore projects. Equipped with a 90-meter main boom and a 66-meter luffing jib, the crane is supported by four tagline winches for safe operations. Sarens also deployed specialized SPMTs for transporting blades and nacelles, along with a custom spacer beam for the 75-meter-long blades.
Sarens has a long history of involvement in offshore wind farm projects. Its expertise spans installations across France and the UK, including recent work on the Moray West offshore wind farm, handling the largest XXL monopiles ever managed in the region. The company’s role in these projects reinforces its position as a key player in the global renewable energy sector.