Deepwater awards turbine foundation deal for 30-MW wind project

Nov 12, 2014 - US firm Deepwater Wind LLC has hired Gulf Island Fabrication (NASDAQ:GIFI), or GIF, to construct the steel jacket foundations for its 30-MW Block Island wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island.

In a statement on Tuesday, GIF explained that it will manufacture and supply the wind park’s five foundations that will include piles, steel jackets and deck sections. Financial details of the contract were not provided.

Louisiana-based GIF focuses on the fabrication of offshore drilling and production platforms and other specialised structures for the offshore oil and gas industries. The company is expected to start fabrication activities for the Block Island scheme early in 2015, with the structures expected to be ready for delivery next summer.

Deepwater’s Block island project, worth some USD 250 million (EUR 200m), will include five turbines supplied by Alstom (EPA:ALO), which will also service and maintain the machines. The output of the plant is seen at about 125,000 MWh, expected to be enough for more than 17,000 households each year. In September, the developer obtained final federal approval for the scheme, enabling it to move beyond initial stages of construction. The 30-MW wind farm is scheduled for completion in 2016.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.802)

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