WSP USA Designing Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations

WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, has been selected to provide detailed design services for the wind turbine foundations for the Vineyard Wind project offshore of Massachusetts.

WSP had previously completed design of wind turbine foundations for the project, but due to recent permitting changes, the turbine layout was modified by Vineyard Wind and required a re-design of the foundations.

The scope includes design of the primary steel, secondary steel and electrical components for the monopiles and transition pieces. WSP and its subcontractor partners, Wood Thilsted, a specialist structural and geotechnical engineering consultancy with extensive experience in wind turbine monopile design; and C2Wind, an offshore wind power design consultancy, will deliver a cost-effective design solution for the project.

Located 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, when fully operational, Vineyard Wind will generate 800 megawatts (MW) of electricity — enough to produce a dependable supply of energy to power more than 400,000 homes. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year – equivalent to removing 325,000 vehicles from the road. Over its first 20 years of operations, it is expected to generate $1.4 billion in energy-related cost savings.

“WSP has a strong track record in offshore wind in Europe, having worked on over 30 projects totaling about 23 gigawatts (GW) of capacity,” said Matt Palmer, WSP vice president and offshore wind manager. “With a global team bringing a range of specific offshore wind experience that is growing in the U.S. we’re proud to have the opportunity to do the same for the Vineyard Wind project.”

Vineyard Wind is projected to create more than 3,600 local full-time equivalent jobs over the life of the project, starting with in-state construction next year. For WSP, Vineyard Wind was the primary driver behind the creation of eight new professional jobs in the U.S., as well as providing work for almost a dozen individuals in WSP’s Boston office.

WSP provides technical, consulting and regulatory support services to assist developers in planning, implementing and operating renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind farms. The firm’s expertise includes geotechnical, civil and structural engineering; renewable generation, transmission and distribution system design; wind resource assessment; and equipment and process quality assurance.