Procurement News Notice |
|
| PNN | 2394 |
| Work Detail | EIGHT offshore wind technicians from the Humber area are about to start work on the construction of Dong Energy's Race Bank offshore wind farm, as the latest milestone in the development has been hit. While the foundations for the 177m high turbines that will form the generating giants within the 580MW farm continue to be installed, the first of the two huge offshore substations has also been put in place. They take the electricity from each turbine via buried cables, then transmit it back to shore. Work is being co-ordinated from the base at Port of Grimsby East. Jason Ledden, construction project manager for Dong Energy, said: "Work on Race Bank is progressing well and having the first offshore substation installed is an important milestone. It's part of the overall plan that will eventually see two offshore substations and 91 turbines installed on the Race Bank site. "It's fantastic to have eight local technicians being part of this vital stage of construction. They have been trained to the highest standards for working offshore and have a crucial role to play." Local roles have tended to focus on operations and maintenance, but the construction capability underlines the expertise now being built up in the area. John Martin, an offshore site technician at Dong Energy, is from Cleethorpes, and has made the transition from onshore turbines to offshore. The former Tollbar pupil said: "Being given this opportunity to work with a fantastic team at Race Bank has been a brilliant chance for a local lad to be a part of the growing renewable energy trade. "This is my first construction job within the industry, so I am very excited to broaden my horizon and learn the job from the start of the project. I have been given full training and support, and I am looking forward to my future with Dong Energy." As reported, due to the distance – and in preparation for the forthcoming Hornsea projects – an accommodation jack up vessel will sit at site, for technicians to live on for up to two weeks at a time, moving closer to oil and gas operations. Stephen Poole, a former Matthew Humberstone pupil, has worked for a clutch of onshore engineering companies across the South Bank as a mechanical fitter. Now an offshore site technician, he added: "Being employed by Dong Energy has proven to be a great opportunity to further my professional career within the renewable sector. As an offshore wind technician, the company has provided first class training to enable me to carry out my job at the safest and highest standard. "The team I work with are both dedicated and highly motivated. Dong Energy has invested heavily in the local area and it is great to be part of that." Technicians have all been through full Global Wind Organisation training including sea survival, turbine rescue from height and firefighting, allowing them to access the offshore site. Alongside this, they have also received specialist training to allow them to carry out an array of tasks involved in completing the offshore work successfully. Work is expected to be completed in the latter part of 2018. |
| Country | United Kingdom , Northern Europe |
| Industry | Energy & Power |
| Entry Date | 03 Sep 2016 |
| Source | http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/cleethorpes-pair-delighted-to-be-on-the-race-bank-wind-farm-build-team/story-29651945-detail/story.html |
