Highlights of the Month: May 2014

Highlights of the Month May 2014Siemens to Use ‘Wind Server’ Jack-Up Vessel for Three Years

Siemens Energy has entered into a charter agreement with DBB Jack-Up Services A/S for the use of a new purpose-built jack-up vessel, the Wind Server, designed for the service and maintenance of the rising number of large scaled offshore wind power projects across Northern Europe.

Seal of Approval for Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s Emergency Procedure

A trapped seal has put Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s emergency procedure to the test on a wind farm construction project in the German North Sea.

GDF Team Wins French Offshore Wind Tender

Following a national public tender process, the French State has selected the group comprising GDF SUEZ, EDP Renewables, Neoen Marine and AREVA to install and operate offshore wind farms in the areas of Tréport (Upper Normandy, 500MW) and the Isles of Yeu and Noirmoutier (Pays de la Loire, 500MW).

French Gvt Wants Areva to Acquire Alstom’s Wind Unit

If the GE’s acquisition bid for Alstom’s Energy division gets the green light, the French government will ask the American industrial giant to sell Alstom’s offshore wind turbine business to Areva, France’s largest provider of nuclear energy, writes Les Echos.

Fécamp OWF to Feature Seatower’s Gravity Foundation

The developers of the Fécamp offshore wind farm have chosen to demonstrate and install Seatower’s patented Cranefree Gravity® foundation design. The Fécamp project, being jointly developed by EDF Energies Nouvelles, DONG Energy and wpd offshore, is located 13km off the coast of Normandy.

Worker Falls to Death at Walney OWF, Cause of Fall Unknown

An inquest into death circumstances of a 26-year-old man, who died at the Walney offshore wind farm site on March 1, was held in County Hall in Kendal.

Dutch Gemini Becomes Largest-Ever Project Financed OWF (VIDEO)

More than 22 parties, including 12 commercial creditors, 4 public financial institutions, 1 pension fund together with Northland Power Inc. as subordinated debt lenders and the 4 members of the equity consortium were involved in the signing of the financing contracts for the Gemini offshore wind farm. Some 70 percent of this budget will be provided on the basis of project financing, making Gemini the largest-ever project financed offshore wind farm.