London Array hands out final contracts for first phase of construction

ENGLAND: Plans for London Array, the world's first 1GW offshore wind farm, have taken another step forward with the appointment of MPI and A2SEA to supply vessels for the project's first phase of construction.

by James Quilter 3 February 2010

London Array is set to be the world's first 1GW offshore wind farm

The two companies will be involved in installing the foundations and turbines for the 630MW first phase. The first vessels will be on site in March 2011 with the first stage expected to be complete by 2012.

MPI will supply the MPI Adventure, a vessel currently under construction in China, to transport and install the turbines. A2SEA will provide the jack-up barge.

Speaking about the deal Richard Rigg, project director for London Array, said: "These are the final major construction contracts to be signed for London Array, which has now moved as a project from the development phase into full construction."

In December London Array announced contracts totalling EUR2 billion had been handed out to seven suppliers to provide the components and expertise.

The largest deal, worth around EUR1 billion, was signed last year with Siemens Wind Power for 175 3.6MW turbines for the first phase. The company has also been handed a five-year maintenance contract.

A joint-venture between Per Aarsleff A/S and Bilfinger Berger Ingeniuerbeau GmBH has been awarded the foundations contract. As well as supplying and installing the 177 monopiles - including one for each of the two offshore substations - the joint venture will install the wind turbines.

The contract to design, fabricate and install the two offshore substations for phase one has gone to Future Energy, a joint venture between Fabricom, Iemants and Geosea.

London Array is owned by Dong Energy (50%), E.ON (30%) and Masdar (20%).