As offshore wind projects are moving further offshore, and turbine manufacturers are installing hoist platforms on their turbines, there is now a growing interest from helicopter operators in learning more about possible market opportunities in the industry, according to Waypoint North, an independent offshore aviation consultancy.
Helicopters are expected to become an important part of future O&M logistic strategies and therefore the offshore wind sector represents a large potential for helicopter operators.
Europe’s helicopter event Helitech International, to be held at Excel, London 6-8 October, has invited Waypoint North to address the possible market opportunities for helicopter operators in the offshore wind industry and explain how operators can become an important mix of the logistical set-up for decreasing the cost of weather downtime and increasing overall wind farm availability.
Johan Hansen, Managing Director at Waypoint North said: “The attention towards using helicopters in the operation and maintenance phase is increasing and wind farm developers and manufacturers are seeing opportunities for saving transportation time and increase turbine accessibility. Transport of crew and technicians by marine vessels has more or less been the preferred solution.
“However, there is currently a shift towards utilizing helicopters, as logistics are getting more complicated due to large distances and harsher weather conditions, as well as the emergence of new concepts for transporting components by air.
“The biggest focus the next years will be for helicopter operators to adjust their capabilities to the new offshore wind market, which in many areas is different from their traditional oil & gas segment. Furthermore, the manufactures and developers needs to fully understand the operational concepts and their potentials.”
Images: Waypoint North