The Anonymous Widower

Aker Solutions Gets Vattenfall Nod To Start Norfolk Vanguard West Offshore Platform

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.

This is the sub-heading.

Aker Solutions has been awarded a limited notice to proceed contract from Vattenfall for the Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind farm in the UK. The contract has a balanced risk-reward profile based on principles for long-term collaboration.

Vattenfall seems to be a bit stop and go on their two Norfolk wind farms; Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas.

• In Vattenfall Selects Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone O&M Base, I talk about how Yarmouth has been selected as Vattenfall’s O&M Base.
• In Vattenfall Stops Developing Major Wind Farm Offshore UK, Will Review Entire 4.2 GW Zone, I talk about how Vattenfall have put Boreas on hold and they will be reviewing the whole Norfolk Zone.

These four paragraphs outline the work.

The scope of work for Aker Solutions includes the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of the high voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore substation.

The fabrication of the topside will be executed in a joint venture with Drydocks World Dubai, and the substructure will be fabricated at Aker Solutions’ yard in Verdal, Norway.

Located more than 47 kilometres from the Norfolk coast and with an installed capacity of 1.4 GW, Norfolk Vanguard West will be the first phase of Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone, which also includes the Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Boreas developments.

The Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind farm is subject to regulatory approvals and Vattenfall’s final investment decision.

Note that Vattenfall are now talking about three wind farms; Norfolk Vanguard West, Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Boreas.

These three paragraphs talk about finance and costs from Aker Solutions point-of-view.

According to Aker Solutions, the company will at this stage book a contract value of about NOK 4 billion (about EUR 334 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023 in the Renewables and Field Development segment, reflecting the compensated work that is to be performed until the expected final investment decision.

Following the award, the total contract value for Aker Solutions is estimated to be about NOK 6 billion.

“The development of the entire Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone could ultimately require up to three HVDC platforms in succession, which would improve the long-term predictability and give positive repeat effects and standardization within the supplier industry,” said Sturla Magnus, Executive Vice President of New Build at Aker Solutions.

Could it be that a 3 x NOK 6 billion or £1.3 billion order has convinced Aker Solutions to invest alongside Vattenfall in the three Norfolk wind farms?

This map shows the two farms in relation to the coast.

Note.

1. The purple line appears to be the UK’s ten mile limit.
2. Norfolk Boreas is outlined in blue.
3. Norfolk Vanguard is outlined in orange and has two parts; West and East.
4. Cables will be run in the grey areas.

This second map shows the onshore cable.

Note.

1. The cables are planned to come ashore between Happisburgh and Eccles-on-Sea.
2. Bacton is only a short distance up the coast.
3. The onshore cable is planned to go from here across Norfolk to the Necton substation.

This layout would appear to need only one offshore cable for all three wind farms.

Conclusion

Has Aker stepped in to rescue Vattenfall’s 4.2 GW project?

November 8, 2023 - Posted by AnonW | Energy | Aker Solutions, Norfolk Boreas Wind Farm, Norfolk Vanguard Wind Farm, Offshore Wind Power, Vattenfall, Wind Power