Siemens Gamesa moves in

Siemens Gamesa and the Port of Thyboron have just signed a contract for the lease of port facilities with quays for two crew vessels, CTVs, during the installation period of Vattenfall's Vesterhav Nord offshore wind farm. Siemens Gamesa will move into the port from around 1 July 2023 and will manage the installation and entire commissioning of the 21 SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbines from the Port of Thyboron.

“Reliability is crucial, and short sailing distances to the offshore wind farm are very important for efficient and safe installation. The Port of Thyboron has a good location in relation to the offshore wind farm, and our team will be able to navigate the port safely in all types of weather throughout the installation,” says Lasse Friis, Construction Project Manager Vesterhav Nord and Syd, Siemens Gamesa.

There are strict requirements for the safety of technicians during the construction process, and at the same time the costs must be controlled. A stable workflow will be key throughout the construction period. With the choice of the Port of Thyboron, Siemens Gamesa will have a good and operationally reliable location in which to complete the project. The location of the port, well protected in the Liim Fiord, sheltered from the forces of the North Sea, ensures safe sailing for the team in all kinds of weather. In addition, the operational reliability is supported by 24/7 staffing at the port, all year round.

QHSE has high priority in the wind industry, and since 2020 the Port of Thyboron has been ISO-certified according to no fewer than three standards: ISO-9001 quality, ISO-14001 environment and ISO 45001 working environment. Their choice of port also gives Siemens Gamesa security when it comes to the port’s operations, quality, environment and working environment. This is in line with the company’s QHSE policy.

“At the Port of Thyboron, we’re happy with the good dialogue we’ve had with Siemens Gamesa since 2017 about reliable port facilities with a short sailing distance to the offshore wind farm in the North Sea, and we look forward to welcoming Siemens Gamesa’s commissioning team again,” says Jesper Holt Jensen, CEO of the Port of Thyboron.

This is not the first time Siemens Gamesa has installed an offshore wind farm from the Port of Thyboron. The installation of the Nissum Bredning offshore wind farm, which is still operated from Thyboron, was also done from the Port of Thyboron.

Siemens Gamesa will move into existing office and storage facilities rented by Thyborøn Stevedore A/S. This testifies to the valuable cooperation between the companies and the Port of Thyboron, and their shared desire to provide a first-class service and find the solution that is best suited to the task and that best supports the customer’s business.

“Siemens Gamesa has chosen a setup where they can work undisturbed and focus on running the installation project. And because Siemens has chosen quay exclusivity, the technicians always know exactly where to dock the vessel when they come into the port, and they’ll be moving into a quay where there’s easy access from their vessels to the office and warehouse building. We’re very pleased to be able to offer Siemens Gamesa these working conditions and to live up to their expectations,” says Tine Jensen Le Breton, who has been the coordinator of the project at the Port of Thyboron since 2017.

Siemens Gamesa is temporarily moving into storage facilities, office and welfare facilities not far from Gåseholmkaj quay, where the vessels will be located. Around 20 Siemens Gamesa technicians are expected to be in Thyboron during the installation period.

First-class service
More than 100 skilled local companies will be available to Siemens Gamesa, which can expect first-class service across the board.

The Fob Swath vessels chosen for the task have their home port in Thyboron, and the quay that Siemens Gamesa has booked exclusively for the CTVs is directly by the company’s home address. This ensures an optimal workflow.

Installation of the offshore wind farm is underway
The first stages of the installation of the Vesterhav Nord offshore wind farm, 8.5 km off the coast just south of Thyboron, are in full swing. The project is being developed by Vattenfall and will have a capacity of 180 MW. The offshore wind farm will supply electricity corresponding to the annual consumption of 180,000 Danish households.

Preliminary preparations for the cable laying have already been made. The Astrea and Aethra vessels have operated from the Port of Thyboron since May and are well underway with removing stones in the cable routing to the offshore wind farm. The foundations will be installed in spring 2023, and Siemens Gamesa will then install their 8.4 MW wind turbines on the foundations.

The offshore wind farm is expected to be commissioned during autumn 2023.