Borssele Wind Farm V project starts commercial operation

Two Towers, consisting of Van Oord, Investri Offshore, and Green Giraffe, have started the commercial operation of the Borssele Wind Farm Site V. The Borssele Site V equipped with two Vestas 9.5 MW turbines, generates sufficient energy to provide renewable energy to 25,000 Dutch households. 

Borssele site V has been designated as an innovation site, situated within site III of the Borssele Wind Farm Zone. To contribute to the energy transition towards renewable energy in the Netherlands and to ensure a cost-efficient fulfillment of the 2030 renewable energy targets, several innovations are incorporated at the Borssele Wind Farm Site V. It is the first time anywhere that a submerged Slip Joint has been used on a full-sized offshore wind turbine on a fully commercial basis. The design and manufacturing of the Slip Joint were certified by DNVGL in the autumn of 2019. At the Borssele V Site, technologies such as Thermally Sprayed Aluminium (TSA), Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) optimization, and oval cable entry holes are also incorporated. The seabed surrounding the two Borssele V wind turbines is fitted with Eco-friendly scour protection. This sustainable technology is used to explore how nature and renewable energy generation can be mutually enhancing. Oysters will be placed on the protective layer of rock on the seabed to improve biodiversity and the natural habitat for aquatic wildlife.

By testing and demonstrating these innovations the Borssele site V contributes to lowering both the LCOE (Levelised Cost Of Energy) and the environmental impact of offshore wind farms. Two Towers also entered into a partnership with Dutch energy company Vandebron. This partnership Dutch means that consumers can purchase their green electricity directly from this unique offshore wind project.

Van Oord was contracted as the Balance of Plant contractor for this project. The project has been completed on time and within budget during the Covid-19 pandemic. Van Oord deployed a wide range of equipment at the project, including offshore installation vessel Aeolus, the trencher Dig-It and cable-laying vessel Nexus. All of the innovations at the Borssele Site V have been developed by Van Oord in cooperation with other research partners. The Slip Joint is a full in-house design by Van Oord.