Siemens Energy has entered into a charter agreement with DBB Jack-Up Services A/S for the use of a new purpose-built jack-up vessel, the Wind Server, designed for the service and maintenance of the rising number of large scaled offshore wind power projects across Northern Europe.
The three-year term of the charter agreement will enable Siemens Wind Service to reduce the lead time needed to mobilize and will secure a fast response to an unscheduled exchange of large components in offshore wind turbines. The vessel is currently under construction and is scheduled for being operational in Siemens offshore wind projects in 2016.
The new jack-up is purpose-built for maintenance and service operations with smaller dimensions that are better suited for flexible and fast service and maintenance operations in the installed base of more than 1200 Siemens offshore wind turbines.
This first-time, three-year charter agreement represents a new approach to offshore wind service and maintenance by Siemens and underscores the company’s commitment to developing full scope efficient service solutions. Instead of needing to contract, equip, load parts and mobilize a jack-up vessel for a specific project and then demobilize again at completion, the three-year charter will allow Siemens to keep the vessel ready for fast mobilization, thereby reducing the required lead time for projects.
With efficient asset utilization and synergies from shared logistics between offshore wind power projects the new vessel will also reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCoE).
Press Release, May 20, 2014; Image: Siemens