German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is looking for an operator for the FINO 1 research platform in the German North Sea.
BMWi is extending the operational life of the FINO1 platform until 31 July 2023, with an optional one-year extension.
The future operator must ensure the continuous and trouble-free operation as well as the implementation of high-quality offshore research services, BMWi said. The operator must also provide concepts for the decommissioning of the platform.
Located about 45 kilometres north of Borkum in a water depth of about 30 metres, FINO 1 is in the immediate vicinity of the operating wind farms Alpha Ventus, Borkum Riffgrund I, TrianelWindpark Borkum, Borkum Riffgrund II, and Merkur. Other wind farms in the immediate vicinity are under construction, approved or preparation.
The platform was brought into service in summer 2003 and was previously operated by DNV GL, and R&D centre of Kiel University of Applied Sciences.
The tender is scheduled to open on 17 October.