The construction of the operations and maintenance (O&M) base for the 353MW Galloper offshore wind farm has started in Harwich, UK.
Project representatives, Tendring District Council, the Harwich International Port and contractors working on the base together turned the first soil to commence the works which are planned to take around 12 months to complete.
The GBP 10 million O&M base will comprise a 24/7 control room, a purpose-built pontoon for crew transfer vessels (CTVs) that take workers offshore, a fully-equipped gym, as well as warehousing and office facilities and a new access road off the A120, Galloper Wind Farm Ltd said.
Ipswich-based R G Carter Southern will design and construct the building, while Jackson Civil Engineering Group is in charge of the design and construction of the access road. Farrans Construction will design, fabricate and install the pontoon.
According to the developer, the base and the pontoon facility are due to be completed late next year, with the project team moving in by early 2020. The works are expected to create circa 120 direct and indirect jobs for the locals.
“The ground-breaking is a symbolic but significant milestone as it has been quite a journey for us to first select the location of the base and then take it through the onshore and offshore planning consent to now be at the stage where construction is underway,” said Galloper General Manager Guy Middleton .
“We are extremely grateful for the active support we have had throughout our process, from individuals including local Members of Parliament and Councillors, as well as organisations including the Port, Tendring District Council, Marine Management Organisation, Harwich Haven Authority and The Haven Gateway Partnership. I would also like to thank local businesses that were early to recognise the potential for the base to help regenerate the area.”
The Marine Management Organisation and Tendring District Council provided the consent approval for the base this September.
The Galloper team has been operating and maintaining the wind farm from temporary facilities in the Port since the start of its operational phase.
First power was generated in November last year with all 56 Siemens Gamesa turbines generating renewable electricity from March 2018.