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Galloper opens Harwich O&M facility

By: Tom Russell 16/01/2020 innogy

General Windfarms

The Galloper offshore wind farm's new multi-million-pound Operations & Maintenance (O&M) facility has been opened at Harwich International Port in Essex. Building was completed in December last year, and all project personnel are now working from the base.

Galloper received consent for the base from the Marine Management Organisation and Tendring District Council in September 2018. Construction started immediately, and the purpose-built base has been delivered on budget and schedule. Representing an investment of £10 million, the facility includes offices, a 24/7 wind farm control room, a pontoon for project vessels, gym, canteen, and warehousing all in one location, and a new access road off the A120.

The interior of the base was inspired both by offshore wind and the history of the local Harwich area. All four meeting rooms in the base align with local historical landmarks: The Mayflower, Navyard, Redoubt and Ha’penny Pier. Each meeting room has a large illustration of its respective landmark covering the wall, with a plaque explaining the origins outside each area. The project’s journey from beginning to end is also captured as the main corridor of the base displays a timeline detailing the story of Galloper right through construction up to the present day and moving into the team’s new home.

Guy Middleton, Galloper General Manager said: “It is fantastic to start to the new year working from the new Operations & Maintenance facility. The technology, facilities and infrastructure will support our sixty- strong team to effectively manage the operation and maintenance of the Galloper Wind Farm which generates enough energy for up to 380,0001 households per annum. Around 120 jobs were created during the construction of the base, with the two major contracts for the design and construction of the base and the access road, going to East of England companies. This is a shining example of how the offshore renewables industry is providing skilled and valuable job opportunities for local people, both in the short and long term. Offshore wind is a vital part of the UK’s low carbon national infrastructure and Galloper’s presence will hopefully support recognition of the role Harwich plays as an important centre for energy related activity.”

Ipswich-based R G Carter Southern was appointed to design and construct the building, and Ipswich-based Jackson Civil Engineering Group designed and constructed the access road. Farrans Construction, with offices throughout the UK, designed, fabricated and installed the pontoon.

Malcolm Barnett, O&M Implementation Package Manager, said: “We are grateful for the active support we have had throughout development and construction process from both individuals and organisations who have been quick to recognise the potential of the base to help regenerate the area and support the local supply chain. With their support we have delivered the new facility safely, on time, and to budget and we look forward to welcoming many of these supporters to the base this Spring, when we will host an official opening.”

The Galloper offshore wind team maintains fifty-six 6.3MW Siemens Gamesa turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 180.5 meters, 30km off the coast of Suffolk. Since March 2018 when the wind farm became fully operational, the team were in a temporary facility, also at Harwich International Port, with crew transfer vessels operating out of the Harwich Navy Yard for the duration. Those vessels will now be able to dock directly at the purpose-built pontoon, beside the new facility.

The 353 MW project is owned by innogy SE, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo Corporation and ESB and a consortium managed by Green Investment Group and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. innogy led the project’s development and construction and operates it on behalf of the project partners. Siemens Gamesa employees who make up the Galloper team have also relocated to the new base, alongside innogy employees.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide, click here.

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Galloper opens Harwich O&M facility

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