UK: Historical new order for Bladt Industries and Semco Maritime

DONG Energy has awarded Bladt Industries a new order for three substation topsides to what is to become the largest wind farm in the world – the Hornsea Project One Offshore Wind Farm. The order is historical, as it is the first time in Bladt Industries’ and their long-term partner Semco Maritime’s history that a contract has been signed for three substation topsides at the same time.

Bladt Industries is responsible for fabricating the steel structures of the substation topsides. The fabrication will take place in close cooperation with Semco Maritime who will be in charge of LV electrical works, including E&I, design, onshore construction and offshore commissioning. Each of the three substation topsides for the offshore wind farm will have a weight of approximately 2,800 tonnes and have a span of approximately 36x23x20 metres.

The first phase of the project has already been initiated. According to plan, the first substation topside will be ready for delivery in spring 2018.

“We have a deep respect for the great responsibility DONG Energy has provided us with in the delivery of three substation topsides for this strategic project. For a longer period, we have been working in close cooperation with Semco Maritime on goal-oriented initiatives to bring down the costs of substations. With three substation topsides, we can continue this process and contribute with a further reduction of the long-term price per produced kWh from wind farms -also known as cost of energy (CoE),” says Jan Kjærsgaard, CEO, Bladt Industries.

Semco Maritime is a long term partner to Bladt Industries, and the cooperation has lasted for nearly 15 years and 16 substations – most recently on three separate ongoing EPCI contracted substations for three other wind farms, Sandbank, Nordsee One and Bligh Bank II, all to be delivered in 2016.

“Bladt Industries and Semco Maritime form a strong team within this highly specialised field of engineering ensuring benefits for our clients and businesses alike. The wind power business plays an increasingly important role for us, and we strive to be an even more attractive supplier to our clients,” says Steen Brødbæk, CEO, Semco Maritime.

The Hornsea Project One Offshore Wind Farm will have a capacity of 1.2 GW in total, with 174 wind turbines and four substations. The offshore wind farm will be situated in the North Sea, 120 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire in the UK.