Natural Power and sister company SeaRoc have
decided to develop their offshore energy capabilities in France as a joint
collaboration. As a result EDF have contracted them to oversee the HSE
and marine operations for the continued development of the Paimpol–Bréhat
Tidal Farm.
According to Natural Power France, they have
a long standing relationship with EDF having provided consultancy services
on a range of offshore developments in French waters. Until now, services
provided have mainly focused on development phases, for example Environmental
Impact Assessment and ornithological expertise for the Saint-Nazaire
offshore wind farm project
(480 MW) and the Calvados
offshore wind farm project (450 MW).
Thierry Ripoche, Managing Director of Natural
Power France, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with SeaRoc
to work with EDF in France. This opportunity showcases our ability to meet
the growing needs of the European market and support our clients to safely
and effectively develop ground breaking projects.”
SeaRoc has been working with EDF on the project since 2011, providing marine
and HSE advice and offshore client representation for the marine operations
carried out to date. This included deployment and recovery of the
OpenHydro turbine, installation of the main export cable, cable stabilisation
and protection works, and the post-installation surveys and inspections.
SeaRoc have also previously worked with EDF by fulfilling the role of Principal
Contractor to oversee construction of EDF’s first offshore wind farm at
Teesside
in the Northeast of England. During the Teesside
project SeaRoc provided a team of construction managers to oversee all
aspects of the offshore construction and the onshore compound, with a team
of approximately 50 personnel. This included support from Natural
Power who acted as package manager to oversee installation and commissioning
of the 27 offshore wind turbines required for the project.
David Wotherspoon, Operations Director at
SeaRoc, added: “Natural Power and SeaRoc have extensive experience
in offshore renewable energy – combining our expertise enables us to provide
a service that meets the specific needs of EDF on this project, and harness
the strength of this partnership for our French clients in the future.”
"Tidal energy is becoming an increasingly
important area for Natural Power and the business has recently been working
alongside Tidal Lagoon Power on the Swansea Bay project, which was granted
planning permission last month."
The Paimpol–Bréhat
tidal farm is a tidal turbine
demonstration farm located approximately 16km out at sea and 35m deep off
Ile-de- Bréhat near Paimpol, France. It is being developed by EDF. First
initiated in 2004, work began in 2008 and the first
turbine was installed in August
2011. A turbine named L’Arcouest developed by OpenHydro (selected for
its low cost and ease of installation) was tested at the site from December
2013 to April 2014.
OpenHydro (owned by the French company DCNS)
will develop, install and test two turbines in partnership with EDF from
2015. The turbines are specially designed with an opening in the middle
to provide safety and easy access for fish and other sea creatures.
.jpg)
