Turbine foundations, export cables installed for Triton Knoll project

The 857-MW Triton Knoll offshore wind project in UK waters reached a milestone this week with the installation of all 90 turbine foundations and two lengths of 50-kilometre export cables.

RWE Renewables, part of German utility group RWE AG (ETR:RWE) and Triton Knoll’s majority owner, said the work has been completed as scheduled despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The threat of COVID-19 required significant changes in working practices, regular screening and testing, long periods of isolation for a large number of staff, and site and vessel lockdowns, RWE stated.

Each turbine foundation is made up of an around 600-tonne steel monopile and about 160-tonne bright yellow transition piece, manufactured to be significantly lighter than previous technologies.

Seaway 7 managed the installation of the foundations, which was carried out by its heavy lift vessel Seaway Strashnov and DEME’s Innovation.

Royal Boskalis Westminster NV (AMS:BOKA) laid and buried the 220-kV subsea cables using its vessel Ndurance.

Installation of the first wind turbines is planned for early 2021.

The Triton Knoll wind farm is being constructed over 32 kilometres (19.9 miles) from the coast of Lincolnshire. RWE owns a 59% stake in the project, while Japan’s Electric Power Development Co Ltd (TYO:9513), also known as J-Power, and Kansai Electric Power Co Inc (TYO:9503), hold 25% and 16%, respectively.

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