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4C find their sea legs

By: Tom Russell 30/09/2015 Written by 4C Offshore

General Vessels Windfarms

Thanks to ECOWinds, ABP, SSE, Dalby Offshore and Enivroserve; 4C Offshore had the opportunity to visit The Port of Lowestoft and Scroby Sands Offshore Wind Farm. Associated British Ports (ABP), who own the Port of Lowestoft, and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) hosted a tour of the Port and its facilities. This was followed by a trip to Scroby Sands with the help of Enviroserve and Dalby Offshore.

As part of ECOWindS event, 4C Offshore were invited to join other delegates to visit the Port of Lowestoft. ABP explained the changes that the Port has seen with the growth of the offshore wind industry, from the construction of the SSE facility to support the 504MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm, to the frequency of Crew Transfer Vessels using the port. SSE explained that their facility, located opposite the Waveney dock, is a conversion from the former fishing market. From these offices a mixed team of SSE staff and Siemens technicians monitor and oversee Greater Gabbard.

The offshore wind industry has also affected the fishing industry, with the majority of the fish auctioned in Lowestoft’s fish market now delivered from Grimsby, there has been some tension between the fisheries and the offshore wind sector in the port. ABP’s operations manager stated “As one door closes, another opens”, following this he explained that some fishing companies have continued operating from Lowestoft and others have transferred to the offshore wind industry and fish recreationally on their days off. Furthermore he also commented on the drop in oil of prices and how this has affected local companies operating in this sector. The Harbor master explained that companies operating in the port have been affected and they have seen a reduction in operations from the companies in this sector.

ABP explained that Lowestoft's ports biggest strength is the level of access it provides to the North Sea, and that the development of the road infrastructure in the surrounding area would further benefit the ports capability to provide for the offshore wind industry.

During the tour ABP highlighted Windcat’s new maintenance facility, located at Lowestoft’s Haven Marina. This facility enables Windcat to service their fleet in Lowestoft. The Lowestoft location gives them a great advantage to support technician transfer at the Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm.

Departing from SSE’s facility we were invited to board Dalby offshore’s “Dalby ribble”, and Enviroserve’s Sea Fox. From here the two parties departed the Waveney dock and travelled to E.ON’s 60MW Scroby sands offshore wind farm. Located 2.5km from the Great Yarmouth coast, Scroby Sands is owned, operated and maintained by E.ON. E.ON employs their own technicians and owns their own vessels to monitor the site and whilst visiting we saw the Eastern Aura tethered to one of the turbines.

Scroby sands wind farm was fully commissioned in December 2004 and has been producing power ever since, the site got its name from the Scroby Sandbank near the wind farm which plays host to a gathering of seals who often visit vessels travelling to the site. The site is comprised of 30 2MW V80-2.0 Vestas turbines and generates enough electricity to supply 41,000 households.

Pictured above Enviroserve's Sea Fox.

Pictured above Dalby Offshore's Dalby Ribble (far) and E.ON's Eastern Aura (near).

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4C find their sea legs

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