Vestas Offshore

So much more than traditional Wind Power

Unsurpassed experience

Installing offshore wind power plants is a unique and highly specialised business – So is Vestas Offshore Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary under the auspices

in line with the specific requirements of each and every

of the Vestas Group, Vestas Offshore focuses exclusively on

customer. In fact, the organisation has been developed to

planning, constructing and operating wind farms at sea. The

create a very strong company that is fully equipped and ready

motivation for Vestas to create an independent business unit

to work with the specific conditions and the special base of

for this area was that working with offshore installations

experience that are crucial to the successful completion of

involves much more than simply transferring expertise

offshore projects.

from onshore sites to the sea. The field of offshore wind power demands very special competences in all areas of

The shared ambition is naturally to create unique, rewarding

the process – competences that form the very foundations

and fully customised projects – on time, every time. Projects

of Vestas Offshore.

that constantly push back the boundaries of the conventional, but which always live up to our promises.

The reason we are so far advanced in this area is that we take our offshore work seriously and work seriously offshore.

Since 2002, we have been almost constantly at work,

In fact, Vestas has installed more than two thirds of all the

completing six projects and installing 236 turbines.

offshore wind turbines currently operating worldwide. Vestas

Hundreds of our employees have worked thousands of hours

Offshore is quite simply second to none when it comes to

– with no serious accidents.

experience in operating in the tough conditions of the open sea. This brochure is intended as an introduction to Vestas Vestas Offshore is truly global, and our organisation ensures

Offshore, our general work methods and some of the projects

that we always cover every aspect of every single project,

we have already completed.

Vestas Offshore is synonymous with professionalism,

prime example of strength and flexibility combined.

overview and the capacity to take a holistic

It is an independent company in the Vestas Group,

approach to projects from the initial idea to the

a company distinguished by highly specialised

completed wind farm, dealing with the whims of

competences combined with peerless experience

Mother Nature and all the other special challenges

in the field of offshore wind power.

that apply to offshore projects. Vestas Offshore is a

Every project is unique ROBIN RIGG Country United Kingdom Owner E.ON UK Installation year 2008 Number of turbines 60 Turbine type V90-3.0MW MW: 180

BLYTH

SCROBY SANDS

FREDERIKSHAVN

YTTRE STENGRUND

Country United Kingdom Owner E.ON Installation year 2000 Number of turbines 2 Turbine type V66-2.0MW MW: 4

Country United Kingdom Owner E.ON UK Installation year 2004 Number of turbines 30 Turbine type V80-2.0MW MW: 60

Country Denmark Owner Dong Energy Installation year 2003 Number of turbines 1 Turbine type V90-3.0MW MW: 3

Country Sweden Owner Vattenfall Installation year 2001 Number of turbines 5 Turbine type NM72-2.0MW MW: 10

NORTH HOYLE Country United kingdom Owner Npower Renewables Installation year 2004 Number of turbines 30 Turbine type V80-2.0MW MW: 60

Our experience in the field of offshore wind projects is second to none Keeping the pioneering spirit alive

and maintenance. For example, the Horns Reef turbines can

From the first-ever offshore turbine to the largest offshore

adverse weather conditions. That is why Vestas Offshore

wind farm in the world – Vestas has helped to write the

employees receive special offshore training and draw on

book of offshore wind power. Since we erected the first-ever

the experience the company has built up over the years

offshore turbine off the coast of Sweden, in 1990, we have

– experience that forms the basis for the know-how and

installed more than 700 MW of capacity in offshore projects

skills that working offshore demands.

only be reached by helicopter for much of the year due to

in Europe, including the largest offshore wind farm in the world to date (Horns Reef, DK) and five other turnkey wind farms: North Hoyle, Scroby Sands, Kentish Flats, Barrow (UK)

Meeting customer expectations

and Egmond aan Zee (NL).

Every single offshore wind farm project is unique, with its own special challenges and distinctive features – in the same

Back at the beginning, the projects were primarily minor

way as every customer is unique, with individual wishes

pioneer ventures, such as the 1995 Tunø Knob (DK) project

and requirements. We at Vestas Offshore are fully aware of

that involved the installation of ten turbines. However, these

the importance of meeting these specific requirements, and

projects subsequently began to develop in both size and

we have the experience to do so. Everything that has been

BARROW

TUNØ KNOB

complexity; for example, even though the installation of

accomplished offshore – from the delivery and installation

Country United Kingdom Owner Dong Energy Installation year 2006 Number of turbines 30 Turbine type V90-3.0MW MW: 90

Country Denmark Owner Dong Energy Installation year 1995 Number of turbines 10 Turbine type V39-500kW MW: 5

the turbines at Yttre Stengrund (S) in 2001 was blessed

of turbines, to the completion of state-of-the-art turnkey

with relatively gentle weather conditions, we still had to

wind farms – was done first by Vestas. We were the first wind

design foundations that could withstand the influence of

power company to take on the challenges of the offshore

pack-ice.

sector.

The maturing market

Our experience stretches back to the days of the offshore

In 2002, Vestas completed installation of the Horns Reef

by day by day through our work on new offshore projects. So

wind farm, which was the first of several large-scale offshore

even though every single project is unique, Vestas Offshore

projects. Projects involving wind farms at sea pose extra

always has the staff and the know-how to deal with any

demands on the technicians who are to handle their service

offshore challenges involved.

KENTISH FLATS

OFFSHORE WINDPARK Q7

EGMOND AAN ZEE

HORNS REV

Country United Kingdom Owner Vattenfall Installation year 2005 Number of turbines 30 Turbine type v90-3.0MW MW: 90

Country Netherlands Owner WP Q7 Holding B.V. Installation year 2007 Number of turbines 60 Turbine type V80-2.0MW MW: 120

Country Netherlands Owner Shell & NUON Installation year 2006 Number of turbines 36 Turbine type V90-3.0MW MW: 108

Country Denmark Owner Vattenfall & DONG Installation year 2002 Number of turbines 80 Turbine type V80-2.0MW MW: 160

wind pioneers. And we work to expand this experience day

In a harsh

Offshore

environment planning is essential

Construction stages Installation and grouting of the transition piece on the foundation section

Installation of the tower on the transition piece

Lifting the nacelle for installation on top of the tower

Turnkey project heralds winds of change North Hoyle, UK

Pioneering spirit in the wild west Horns Reef, DK

A project constantly on the move Scroby sands, UK

Fitting the third blade to the hub

Transfer vessel ready for crew transfer at boat landing point

24-carat team effort Kentish Flats, UK

Reaping the wild wind Barrow, UK

First offshore wind farm in Dutch waters

Success in deep water Egmond aan Zee, NL

In April 2002, work was started on the installation

As the first of its kind, this giant project put

In April 2003, Vestas Offshore started work on

targeted planning, Vestas succeeded in delivering

The Scroby Sands project at a site off the coast of

With this project, Vestas Offshore also reaffirmed

In December 2003, construction work was

Project meetings were held every 14 days, and

The weather was a major challenge when Vestas

This exchange of experience is crucial to any

In 2006, Vestas Offshore literally found itself in

Naturally, working in such extreme conditions

of the largest offshore wind farm in the world

the Vestas Health & Safety policy to the test

the first major offshore wind farm in British

the wind farm to the customer on time.

Norfolk, in the east of England, involved building

Vestas’ role of industry pioneer through the

started on the Kentish Flats plant, sited 7 km off

Elsam posted representatives on site, where

joined forces with the engineering company of

project and it depends more on personal

deep water - and approximately 12 km from the

made high demands on safety. However, this

– a plant comprising eighty V80 wind turbines at

in the challenging offshore environment. The

waters. The customer was energy company

a wind farm comprising thirty V80 turbines on

approach taken to installing the foundations,

the coast of Kent, close to the Thames Estuary in

they participated with great commitment and

Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) in 2005 to establish

interaction than on written instructions. This

shore - when work was started on the Egmond

was never a problem as both the customer and

Horns Reef in the Danish part of the North Sea.

policy really proved its worth here and has

RWE npower, and the result can be seen today

All in all, the project to establish the first major

a sandbank that moves up to three metres a

and the successful completion of the project

the south of England. This was to be the largest

extensive knowledge. This made it possible for

an offshore wind farm for Dong Energy and

is why project managers are now involved at

aan Zee project, the first offshore wind farm

Vestas applied stringent requirements in this

subsequently been applied and refined through

in the thirty V80 turbines of the North Hoyle

offshore wind farm in British waters provided

day. It was quite a challenge that demanded

was largely attributable to the excellent

offshore wind farm in British waters to date,

Vestas Offshore to ensure that its work was

Centrica Renewable Energy. The new wind farm

a much earlier stage, to give customers the

in Dutch waters. The order for a turnkey wind

area and proved an excellent match in the fields

Despite the fact that this was a new venture,

Vestas Offshore’s work since 2002 to install 236

Wind Farm, approximately 8 km off the coast

Vestas Offshore with plenty of experience

very precise planning, especially as it involved

working relationship with the customer and

and the installation of the thirty V90 turbines

fully in line with customer expectations at all

was to comprise thirty V90 turbines, and the site

opportunity to clear up issues of a technical

power plant comprising thirty-six V90 turbines

of communication and project management

no-one ever said: “that cannot be done”. Vestas

turbines in six major projects. In fact, hundreds

of North Wales.

in the areas of management, organisation,

working with a great many subcontractors.

the local companies. All the parties involved

involved ran smoothly, due in no small part to

times. As a result, the hand-over took place on

chosen was in the Irish Sea, 7 km from Barrow-

nature early on in the process, and to meet the

was placed by Noordzeewind, a joint venture

standards.

Offshore worked with a number of companies

of employees have worked thousands of hours

supplemented one another and generously

the excellent dialogue with the customer, the

8 December 2005 - right on time according to

in-Furness. Vestas Offshore quickly adapted to

people they will actually be working with on the

involving Shell and Nuon, a Dutch utility.

including A2SEA, which supplies installation

offshore without any serious injuries.

shared their specialist knowledge.

Danish utility company Elsam A/S that is now

the contract. The phenomenal team spirit and

the extreme weather conditions and adjusted its

project.

owned by Dong Energy.

the painstaking planning were crucial to the

plans to ensure that the demanding conditions

Once again, the weather was an important factor

teamwork. The wind farm was built via a joint

success of the venture.

did not adversely affect the project.

during the construction phase. Weather forecasts

venture with Ballast Nedam, a Dutch offshore

were constantly monitored, and work often had

construction company, and the two companies

vessels, and the working relationship with the

environmental issues and safety, and its success This project was an exciting challenge, as it

was attributable to the overwhelmingly positive

Even though Vestas Offshore was working on

was to be the first of its kind in Britain. Vestas

atmosphere and to the enthusiasm of everyone

a large, turnkey project, the job was completed

involved.

without any accidents, which must be considered

The key feature of this project was excellent

customer – the Danish utility company Elsam

Good planning was the key to success of the

joined forces with Mayflower Energy to form

(now a part of DONG Energy) – also ran smoothly.

Horns Reef project, and the pioneering spirit

a consortium to handle both the project

a great success – particularly when taking into

The Kentish Flats project, today owned by

In fact, all parties displayed great commitment

was maintained throughout. As a result, the

management and construction of the plant. The

account that almost 200 people were involved

Swedish utility Vattenfall, was carried through on

It was an exciting project, where Vestas’

to be done at night when the wind dropped,

succeeded in making constructive use of each

to making the first really large offshore project

work was completed on schedule and the last

plans were laid and work commenced. However,

in installing the foundations, and almost 60 in

remarkable team spirit and peerless flexibility.

competences and experience were really put

but everything ran very smoothly as everyone

other’s knowledge and experience in a way that

a success.

turbine was connected to the electricity grid in

as is often the case with offshore work, a number

the erection and commissioning of the turbines

It developed into something of a showcase

to the test, but KBR and Vestas worked well

involved in the project displayed remarkable

gave the whole project a lift.

December 2002.

of unforeseen factors came into play, but thanks

themselves.

project: innovative and challenging, solid and

together, exchanging experience and sharing

flexibility. Moreover, the decision to engage

secure, and backed by great support from the

responsibility.

local contractors made it possible to establish

to flexibility, engineering finesse and closely

base organisation.

efficient logistics and generate good backing from the local population.

Project preparation

The first

Cornerstone is founded on

solid ground

Dialogue is crucial in fulfilling customer expectations Every single offshore project starts on dry land. It takes thorough preparation to outline, structure and commission a project – and it takes ongoing dialogue to complete it. From the first contact with the customer to delivery and service, Vestas Offshore runs its projects on the basis of a clearly defined main process. To start with, Vestas Offshore puts together a project team involving representatives from all parts of the organisation to make sure of matching customer wishes and requirements in all areas. The project and service departments are involved as early as the negotiation phase to ensure that the contract agreed upon is practical to work with during the implementation of the project itself. At the same time, Vestas Offshore sets up a broadly based, inter-disciplinary team to balance Vestas’ and the customer’s expectations so as to avoid misunderstandings and disappointments. On signature of the contract, the Sales Department transfers responsibility for the project to the Project & Technology Department, and, in close consultation with the customer, Vestas Offshore starts work on designing and planning in detail. Risk assessments and Health & Safety plans also constitute an important part of the work, as Vestas Offshore gives highest priority to the safety of all those involved. As soon as the first activities have been initiated on site, the project team actually moves out to the site to ensure close contact and dialogue with the customer and the sub-contractors. During the construction phase, the local service technicians who will subsequently be responsible for operation and maintenance also become actively involved in the project so as to ensure a smooth transfer from construction to operation. Work can then be started on the assembly and erection of the turbines themselves.

A dedicated technical team ties up all the mechanical aspects before the commissioning team carries out the start-up and test procedures. Close contact is essential when dealing with the major logistical challenges involved in building an offshore wind power plant. There are many factors to take into account. There are the onshore logistics of transporting wind turbine components from production facilities to the preassembly harbour, either by road or by sea. Then there is the matter of the preassembly site itself – with the cranes, storage facilities and site offices required to prepare the turbines for loading onto the installation vessels. And once these preparations are complete, the turbines have to be transported to the installation site where the actual installation process is to be carried out. Finally, the newly installed turbines have to be commissioned and tested. This is an intricate operation that involves a number of crew transfer vessels, whose operation has to be co-ordinated with that of specialist vessels and equipment for the installation of foundations and sub sea cables. Of course, all theses activities have to be organised and aligned to take into account weather conditions and to ensure that the highest priority is accorded to the safety of all the workers involved. Throughout the process, Vestas Offshore keeps the customer up-to-date with status reports, Health & Safety statistics and reports on QA and QC issues. The company always strives to establish a close dialogue and a constructive working relationship with both customers and suppliers, and the actual work process is based on years and years of offshore experience. This puts Vestas Offshore in a strong position and makes it possible for the company to live up to its aim of making work process even better by continuously collating and implementing new experience and know-how.

We are Onsite Cost-effective operation is based on efficient service and maintenance Service and safety are two sides of the same coin. At least they are when you are working offshore and you have to adapt to very varied and, at times, very challenging conditions. Both the operation and maintenance services we provide for our customers, and the safety of our colleagues are areas to which we at Vestas Offshore give the highest priority. We have a large, dedicated offshore service organisation which, over the years, has harvested the specialist experience that lays the foundations for the successful operation of offshore projects. Our contracts cover the operation and maintenance required to ensure that our customers’ wind farms constantly return optimal performance. We ensure this, for example, by linking a local team to each and every wind farm – a team that specialises in handling precisely the turbine models in question, and that has the competence and overview to perform even

the most demanding service and maintenance functions onsite. Moreover, Vestas Offshore devotes appreciable resources to Health & Safety, and in this area, we actually have our own organisation that focuses exclusively on offshore challenges. This ensures that we always follow the very best procedures in our work, and, at the same time, enhance everyday attention to safety. Another of our strengths at Vestas Offshore is our dedicated warehouse of spare parts and tools, as this assures rapid delivery of these key components, and guarantees that both spare parts and tools are always certified and maintained in full working order.

Vestas Offshore A/S Alsvej 21 8900 Randers Denmark Tel. +45 97 30 00 00 Fax +45 97 30 00 01 [email protected] www.vestas.com

11/07 UK

To see a complete list of our sales and service units, visit www.vestas.com