DEME Offshore completes Moray East foundation installation

In an important milestone the last jackets for the 950 MW Moray East offshore wind farm in Scotland were all safely installed offshore.

DEME Offshore was awarded the full EPCI scope for 100 wind turbine foundations plus three offshore substation platform foundations in December 2018. To ensure a timely production flow, DEME Offshore contracted Lamprell for the fabrication of 45 wind turbine foundation jackets and three offshore substation jackets. The remaining 55 jackets were awarded to Smulders, which constructed them at facilities in Belgium and Newcastle.

Despite the many challenges brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic and the unfortunate incident on board of the ‘Orion’ just shortly before the delivery of the vessel to DEME and the offshore construction start, DEME Offshore successfully installed the final jacket foundation on the 26th December 2020.

Bart De Poorter – General Manager DEME Offshore commented: “Despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced on this project we are extremely proud of how our teams have navigated through difficult times. This was only possible by meticulous  planning, thorough preparation, excellent cooperation with our subcontractors and by working closely with our Customer and partners.

Thanks to countless mitigation and acceleration measures taken by our teams and our global supply chain we have been able to obviate several challenges, including  the COVID-19 pandemic at multiple project locations, border closures and adverse weather events at several worksites. DEME Offshore has shown to its client and the offshore wind industry its commitment and capability to finalise a job on time, even in such circumstances.

At  a technical level, we delivered unique solutions, such as a combined WTG foundation and OSP foundation design, accurate and high speed pre-piling, a pile-pin locking system for grouting and special lifting and positioning tools. In all its technical aspects this was one of the most high-tech featured projects the offshore wind world has seen so far. In completing this project DEME Offshore has added another remarkable project to its long list of references.

During the entire project both the Scottish and English supply chain and their highly skilled experts played a major role, significantly contributing to the safe and successful delivery of the project.”

DEME is a world leader in the highly specialised fields of dredging, solutions for the offshore energy industry, infra marine and environmental works. The company can build on more than 140 years of know-how and experience and has fostered a pioneering approach throughout its history, enabling it to be a front runner in innovation and new technologies.

DEME’s vision is to work towards a sustainable future by offering solutions for global challenges: a rising sea level, a growing population, reduction of CO2 emissions, polluted rivers and soils and the scarcity of natural resources.

While the company’s roots are in Belgium, DEME has built a strong presence in all of the world’s seas and continents, operating in more than 90 countries worldwide. DEME can rely on 5,200 highly skilled professionals across the globe. With a versatile and modern fleet of over 100 vessels, backed by a broad range of auxiliary equipment, the company can provide solutions for even the most complex projects.

DEME achieved a turnover of 2.62 billion euros in 2019.