UK-based 3sun Group has secured a contract from turbine manufacturer Siemens for pre-assembly of 56 turbine towers for the £1.5bn Galloper offshore windfarm.
Being constructed by Innogy, this project is an extension of the existing and fully operational Greater Gabbard windfarm and will have the capacity to supply up to 336,000 homes per year.
Siemens' strategic procurement global commodity manager Hervé Bouraima said: “When awarding our contracts, local content is a priority as well as UK content.
“3sun Group is a highly regarded experienced local company with the skills and personnel for this work.”
As part of the contract, key turbine components are set to arrive at the newly-developed quayside. The components will be preassembled and loaded on to vessels and transported offshore for installation around 20 miles off the Suffolk coast.
Work is expected to start early next month. SWT-6.0-154 wind turbine generators (WTG) and assembled towers on and off vessels will be lifted using new 120m ALE Heavy lift SXL850 quayside crane at the North Terminal.
3sun Group's chief executive Graham Hacon said: “We work on offshore windfarms all over the world but it is especially important to win contracts on windfarms off our coast to provide employment for our local community in this new growing industry.
“With this contract, people can see that the multi-billion offshore wind industry isn’t just happening miles out at sea, the positive effects are being felt here in Great Yarmouth.”
Image: 3sun technicians working on offshore windfarm installations. Photo: courtesy of 3sun Group.
