London / Hamburg - London Array will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when fully complete. Located around 20 km off the British coasts of Kent and Essex, offshore construction on the first 630-megawatt phase of the project is due to start early next year. During the offshore installation of the 175 turbines for phase one, GL Noble Denton will confirm that technical risks are kept within acceptable levels. The technical service provider to the energy industries has been contracted by London Array Ltd to perform Marine Warranty Survey Services for the first phase of the project.
The first 630 MW phase is scheduled to have been completed by the end of 2012. With a capacity of 630 MW, it will generate enough energy to supply around 475,500 homes and displace over a million tonnes of CO2 each year.
"The transportation and installation of huge, awkwardly shaped structures offshore involve risks that can only be mitigated by adhering to codes and standards," says Gabor Bohner, who heads GL Noble Denton's Department for Marine Operations and Marine Warranty Survey in Hamburg.
GL Noble Denton verifies the requirements of the insurer in the warranty clause in connection with the respective marine operations to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to avoid loss. The range of activities for Marine Warranty Survey comprises the review of all relevant documents, the condition surveys of vessels and equipment, and the approval of marine operations during loading, transportation and installation phases.
GL Noble Denton has a long track record of marine warranty services and has developed extensive rules and guidelines for different marine operations.
In addition to 175 turbines, phase one of London Array will consist of two offshore substations, a new onshore substation, currently being built at Cleve Hill on the north Kent coast, and cabling between the turbines and to shore. Phase one, to be completed by the end of 2012, will cover 100 km2. The project is being built by a consortium comprising DONG Energy (50%), E.ON (30%) and Masdar (20%).
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