4C Offshore Empowering Intelligence

Construction begins for Sofia substation

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 24/09/2021 Sofia
An official steel cutting ceremony at Sembcorp Marine's yard in Batam, Indonesia marked the start of fabrication of Sofia's offshore converter platform.

The event included a sharing of the Indonesian culinary icon, potong tumpeng, as well as speeches by those able to be on-site, including Sofia's Fabrication Manager Ryan Fokens. Travel restrictions meant the live speeches were followed by video messages from members of the senior management of Sembcorp Marine, GE's Grid Solutions and RWE.

Sven Utermoehlen, Chief Executive Officer Wind Offshore of RWE Renewables, said: "The offshore converter station sitting at the heart of the wind farm will be one of the most powerful ever installed -  so this means that you are now starting on what will be a historical construction effort.

"Each day on site it will also be about working together - remembering at all times the importance of maintaining and ensuring the safety of all."


Matthew Swanwick, Sofia Project Director, added: "This is an innovative and awe-inspiring piece of kit but key to the successful construction will be you all - the people - and at the end of the day, our project will be measured on how we have kept people safe.


"I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you all to keep focus on both your own safety, and that of those around you. As we all want to be able to enjoy tomorrow."

The 1.4 GW
Sofia offshore wind farm is located 195 kilometres from the UK coast on Dogger Bank, in the shallow area of the central North Sea. It will consist of 100 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD turbines. The 100% RWE-owned project represents a total investment of approximately £3 billion and is scheduled for completion by Q4 2026. RWE was awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) for Sofia in 2019, achieving a strike price of £39.65 per megawatt hour (in 2012 prices).


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

Premium

ForeSEE Premium, our most popular subscription, gives you full access to use the ForeSEE WebApp which includes exclusive offshore wind, transmission and vessel reports, news and downloads.

Request a 30 minute Demo

Trending News!