UK offshore wind farm secures approval for operations and maintenance base

The project company for the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm, located off the coast of Suffolk, eastern England, has announced that it has received the required approvals to develop a new Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base for wind farm in Harwich.

The base will be home to a team of around 60 people who will operate and maintain the 353 MW wind farm for its expected operational lifetime of more than 20 years. It will comprise a control room to monitor and control all wind farm activity; a purpose-built pontoon for project vessels; plus warehousing and office facilities.

Galloper’s team has been operating and maintaining the wind farm from temporary facilities in Harwich International Port since the start of its operational phase. First power was generated in November 2017 with all 56 wind turbines generating home grown renewable electricity from March of this year.

The appointed companies will be responsible for the construction of the base and its associated infrastructure at Harwich International Port. The preferred bidders are Ipswich-based R G Carter Southern for the design and construction of the building; Ipswich-based Jackson Civil Engineering Group, for the design and construction of the access road; and Farrans Construction, for the design, fabrication and installation of the pontoon.

Early ground works are planned to commence by the end of the year. Construction of the base and pontoon is expected to be completed in late in 2019 with the construction works likely to create around 120 local jobs.

The project is owned by innogy SE, Macquarie Capital, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo Corporation, ESB and a consortium managed by Green Investment Group and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. innogy SE has led the development and construction of Galloper Offshore Wind Farm and its ongoing operation on behalf of the project partners.