SSE Services PLC has invited companies to pre-qualify for a tender to provide offshore blade inspection services using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
More specifically, Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Limited, a joint venture between SSE plc and innogy, is looking to inspect 105 turbines during 2019, and 35 turbines per year thereafter. Each turbine shall consist of three blade inspections.
The GBP 310,000 contract covers three years, with two consecutive optional years.
The proposed scope of work to be carried out under this contract will cover the provision of information from devices and photography equipment attached to UAVs, the company said.
The requests to participate in the pre-qualification procedure should be submitted by 20 February, and the invitations to tender are expected to be issued on 13 March.
The 504MW Greater Gabbard wind farm comprises 140 SWT-3.6-107 turbines and is situated some 23 kilometres off the Suffolk coast. The wind farm has been in operation since August 2013.