First Offshore Wind Turbine in German Waters
On 15 July 2009 Jack-Up Barge B.V. celebrated a major milestone in the company’s history as its newbuild monohull Jack-Up platform JB-114 completed the installation of the first ever German offshore wind turbine on her maiden voyage. After mobilization in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, the JB-114 was towed to the offshore location, about 45 km north of the island Borkum in the North Sea. Within 36 hours after her arrival she installed the tower, turbine and rotorblades of the first wind turbine in the Alpha Ventus wind farm. Mr Maarten Hardon, Commercial Director of Jack-Up Barge B.V. says: “We are very proud of this extraordinary achievement.” Ronald Schukking, Managing Director of Jack-Up Barge B.V. enthusiastically adds: “The installation could not have gone any better. This project once again proofs that our Jack-Up platforms are extremely suitable for utilization in the offshore wind turbine construction industry.” The JB-114 and her twin sister the JB-115 were both built at Drydocks World Nanindah (former Labroy Shipyard) at Batam, Indonesia as part of an extensive newbuild programme. Both Jack-Ups will be working on the construction of the Alpha Ventus wind farm this summer. The JB-114 is chartered by German company Prokon Nord, who is responsible for the installation of six 5MW Multibrid wind turbines on tripod foundations. The JB-115 is chartered by DOTI and will be installing the slots and templates on the seabed in preparation for the jacket foundations of the six remaining 5MW REpower turbines. The Alpha Ventus wind farm, with a total capacity of 60 MW, is expected to be completed before the end of this year, making it the first operational wind farm in German waters.