Pioneering Spirit installs Hollandse Kust (zuid) Alpha topsides
Allseas has strengthened its ambition to become a key contractor in the offshore renewables market with the seamless installation of a transformer station for an offshore grid that connects a major offshore wind farm area to the Dutch mainland. Pioneering Spirit successfully installed the “Alpha” high-voltage convertor platform for the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) offshore grid project in the North Sea, 20 km off the coast of The Hague on Sunday 26 December.
Energy project of strategic importance
Offshore transformer stations play a crucial role in the delivery of clean energy, converting the wind power generated by turbines to high voltage electricity and feeding it into the national grid. Alpha is one of two transformer stations that will connect the HKZ development with the Dutch mainland grid, generating enough clean electricity to power more than two million households per year.
“It’s great to be involved in an energy project of such strategic importance to the Netherlands. When the Hollandse Kust Zuid is finalised in 2023, it will play an important role in the delivery of clean electricity to millions of home,” says Edward Heerema, President and CEO of Allseas.
“Pioneering Spirit has made a name for herself with record-breaking lifts for the oil and gas industry, but this latest project for the offshore renewables market reinforces the important role we can play in the energy transition, and further strengthens her reputation as the world’s most versatile construction vessel.”
Alpha is part of the Dutch government’s pledge to develop 3.5 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2023. The pledge is being realised by Dutch offshore grid operator TenneT through five 700 MW wind farms. Installation of the identical “Beta” transformer station is planned for the first quarter of 2022.
Read more about the Hollandse Kust Zuid project.
Next generation turbines and monopiles
“Aside from playing a key role in the installation of large transformer stations, we also see a future role for Pioneering Spirit in the installation of next generation turbines and monopiles,” adds Edward Heerema. “Those structures are so heavy and large, Pioneering Spirit’s versatility and capabilities offers wind farm developers and operators a complete solution for transportation and installation.”
Read more about our game changing vessel Pioneering Spirit.
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