Offshore staff
FORNEBU, Norway — Vattenfall has awarded Aker Solutions a "limited notice to proceed" contract for the Norfolk Vanguard West wind farm development offshore the coast of Norfolk, UK, Eastern England.
The project is about 47 km offshore and with a planned capacity of 1.4 GW. It will be the first phase of Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone, which will include the Norfolk Vanguard East and potential Norfolk Boreas developments.
Norfolk Vanguard West remains subject to regulatory approvals and Vattenfall taking FID. Aker Solutions would have EPCI responsibility for the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore platform.
It would fabricate the topside under a joint venture with Drydocks World Dubai and the substructure at Aker Solutions’ yard in Verdal, western Norway.
If development of the full Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone goes ahead, there could be a need for up to three HVDC platforms in succession. This would “improve the long-term predictability and give positive repeat effects and standardization within the supplier industry,” said Sturla Magnus, executive vice president of New Build at Aker Solutions.
Earlier this year, however, Vattenfall decided to pause preparations for Norfolk Boreas due to cost pressures related to supply chain constraints.
Last month main onshore construction works were set to get underway for the Norfolk Zone covering the farthest west 20-km section of the cable route from Necton to the River Wensum. The program includes mobilization areas, access creation, fencing, drainage, de-vegetation, ecology mitigation measures and duct installation.
At this stage, Aker Solutions estimates the value of the contract for its work pre-FID at about NOK 4 billion ($357 million), rising to NOK 6 billion ($535 million) following the final award. The contract carries incentives for efficient and safe delivery.
11.08.2023
