Van Oord, a leading maritime company, has successfully wrapped up the installation of 62 jacket foundations at the groundbreaking Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm. Nestled in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, a formidable 16.3 kilometers off the Brittany coast, this wind farm marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind in France to adopt jacket foundations. Anticipated to be operational soon, this eco-friendly venture is set to generate a staggering 496MW of clean energy, enough to power the homes of 835,000 individuals.
The formidable task was entrusted to Ailes Marines, a subsidiary of the renowned Iberdrola, who contracted Van Oord for the intricate transport and installation process. This included 62 jacket foundations for the wind turbines, boasting three pin piles each, alongside the installation of four foundation pin piles for the offshore substation. To execute this colossal endeavor, Van Oord deployed its state-of-the-art offshore installation vessel, the Aeolus, a vessel renowned for its capabilities in handling complex installations. Collaborative efforts with industry partners were instrumental in ensuring the seamless installation of the jackets.
The Bay of Saint-Brieuc posed formidable challenges for this ambitious project. With an unforgivingly hard and rocky seabed, coupled with the unpredictable Atlantic environmental conditions, the endeavor demanded unwavering expertise and specialized equipment. In response, the Aeolus underwent a significant upgrade, enhancing its capacity to withstand the harsh conditions. Moreover, a bespoke suite of project-specific installation equipment was meticulously engineered, constructed, and deployed on the vessel.
Ensuring the safety of the Aeolus during elevation above sea level was paramount. This was achieved through the ingenious modification of the jacking system’s feet, incorporating a flex-pin construction. Given the unique geotechnical conditions of the site, an innovative drilling technique was employed for the foundation installation. This involved the collaborative effort of Van Oord and their esteemed partner, Bauer Spezial Tiefbau, resulting in the development of project-specific drills. These, combined with a cutting-edge drilling template, acted as crucial tools in ensuring the pinpoint accuracy of pin pile placement.
Van Oord stands as a testament to human ingenuity and collaborative expertise, defying the challenges posed by nature itself. The Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm is not only a beacon of sustainable energy but a testament to the potential of human endeavor in the face of adversity.
