VSL Awarded Contract for Hybrid Tampen Floating Wind Farm

Kværner has awarded VSL the contract for the post-tensioning works for the 11 floating concrete hulls for wind power turbines of the Hywind Tampen project in Norway.

VSL will be responsible for the post-tensioning works of the semi-submersible concrete structures which will require installation of vertical post-tensioning tendons in the hulls with the length up to 85m. In a harsh environment where the wind towers are subject to loads imposed by the wind and the ocean (waves, currents), post-tensioned concrete offers an optimal resistance and durability. To speed up the onsite installation, the post-tensioning tendons will be fully prefabricated by VSL and delivered to site ready for installation. With no access along the vertical tendons, all the post-tensioning operations will be done from the top of the concrete hulls including grouting in a single operation.

“This pioneering project will serve as a test bed for the future development of wind farms using concrete SPAR buoys. The use of concrete, the optimized construction process, with almost no maintenance, have allowed SPAR buoy foundations for offshore wind turbines to emerge as an efficient solution for deep water sites. As the wind market is becoming more important with the acceleration towards the green energy transition, VSL has developed a robust and unique technical solution for challenging installation and environmental conditions”, explains Josep Fabra, VSL’s Business Development Manager for Wind Energy.

Developed by Equinor, Hywind Tampen is an 88 MW floating wind power project intended to provide electricity for the Snorre and Gullfaks offshore field operations in the Norwegian North Sea. With 11 turbines, it will be the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm and a pilot project for offshore wind power industry with the use of concrete SPAR buoys. This technology is adapted to deep waters and allows to place the wind turbines far from the coast where the wind is faster and steadier.