DONG Energy Praises Collaboration and Innovation On Complicated Scope

Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) has completed a second major seabed clearance project on behalf of DONG Energy on what will be one of the worlds largest offshore windfarms.

The Scottish subsea technology specialist cleared more than 3000 boulders at the site of the DONG Energys Race Bank Offshore Windfarm, located off the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast.

Race Bank will consist of 91 turbines of 6MW each and generate enough electricity to power more than 500,000 homes. The £5 million contract followed the successful completion of a similar project by ESS on DONG Energys Westermost Rough offshore windfarm.

ESS teams mobilised several vessels in two campaigns, including the Siem Topaz and Siem Sapphire, on a multi-phased workscope which lasted approximately 175 shipping days.

ESS deployed the latest version of its SCAR 2 Seabed System - a multi-purpose plough capable of boulder clearing, trenching and various seabed route preparation works, while a Multi-Function ROV grab was used to remove boulders and debris which were more sparsely located or situated in awkward positions.

The boulder clearing took place across the export corridor, array cable routes and turbine locations, with 30-metre plus clearance corridors created using multi-pass capability.

ESS commercial director, Keith McDermott, said the project award had reinforced the Banchory-based companys excellent relationship with DONG Energy following the initial success on the Westermost Rough project.

Mr McDermott said: "With our SCAR Seabed System we have set the standard for technology which is reliable and robust in the delivery of fast and efficient seabed clearance projects. We were working in some very difficult environmental conditions and with a variety of soil conditions and the SCAR proved its worth on both counts.

"We are constantly reviewing SCAR to introduce improvements which bring savings to the client and this latest version SCAR2 has a 15-metre wide capacity compared to earlier 10-metre models."

Mr McDermott added: "We have built up a wealth of experience in the renewables sector and the SCAR Seabed System is a pioneer in seabed and cable route preparation workscopes. We are targeting a number of planned European windfarm projects where we think ESS can add value to the construction phase."

DONG Energy senior project manager, Luke Bridgman, said: "Ecosse has done an excellent job preparing the seabed for our arrays, export cable and foundation installation. They have given a consistently high focus on safety throughout the campaign and worked collaboratively with us as a partner to come up with tailored solutions on this very complicated and environmentally sensitive project scope.

"DONG Energy remains committed to the UK supply chain and supporting innovative local companies such as Ecosse."