The offshore construction base for the next world leading wind farm, Hornsea Two, has been launched at Humberside Airport.
Developer Ørsted has taken on the former police air support unit facilities at Kirmington, as it prepares to build again in the near North Sea.
Once the build-out ramps up it will house up to 40 employees as they work around the clock on the construction of the 1.4GW array, 89km off the East Yorkshire coast, with double that number offshore.
When complete in 2022 it will take the global title from emerging ‘little’ sister Hornsea One – which has just passed the 1GW mark as turbine installations continue. Both will be operated and maintained from the £14 million East Coast Hub on Grimsby’s Royal Dock, set to be officially opened later this month.
Jason Ledden is leading the Hornsea Two construction team as senior project manager, having played a key role in delivering both Westermost Rough and Race Bank. He said: “The new offshore construction management office is the ideal location for our logistical project planning, and means we can move people and equipment offshore efficiently and safely using the heliport at Humberside Airport. Not only have we been able to repurpose and redevelop a building that had fallen empty on the airport estate, we’ve also been able to utilise equipment and furniture from some of our previous projects in the region to ensure the build is sustainable and continue Ørsted’s green ethos.
“Hornsea Two is the latest ground-breaking offshore wind farm being constructed by Ørsted and the innovation behind each new site is astounding. I’m so proud to be able to work on such a flagship project which will bring even more clean energy to the country.”
A total of 165 turbines will have the capacity to generate enough power to supply 1.3 million homes.
Onshore cable works have begun, and construction of the onshore substation is progressing at North Killingholme, with the cable route and location replicating that of Hornsea One.
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Most of the major contracts have now been awarded and offshore construction is due to begin next year with work on the single offshore substation – 2.5 times the size of one of the three deployed on the current project – underway in Singapore. Foundations and turbines will follow in 2021.
The majority of the blades will come from Hull, with Siemens Gamesa the supplier.
Despite having fewer turbines than Hornsea One, it will use a newly manufactured larger blade to generate more power. The blades have been specifically developed and are around the same length as 10 buses.
“This will be the world’s largest and the world’s best value wind farm, with all the innovations being added,” Mr Ledden said.
Ørsted first had a presence at Humberside in January 2018, with an office with helicopter partner CHC. It is seen as a green triangle, with the proximity of the onshore grid connection and Grimsby operations, where a third large service operation vessel will be welcomed.
Now the heads of all the construction packages that make up the build, with key contractors, will be under one roof for Hornsea Two, with designated rooms and a dedicated hangar. I
The building, beside the A18, has been taken on a six year lease, with potential to extend. Hornsea Three and Hornsea Four and a Race Bank Extension form the current project pipeline beyond Hornsea Two.
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Deborah Zost, managing director of Humberside Airport, said: “The commitment they have made to making the base here is fantastic for us and long may the relationship continue.
“We can work together on future projects and maybe get some of the supply chain here to fit with the whole project. We have the business park at the airport with development land available. The Hornsea Two transportation contract is also out for tender too, and we are speaking to potential new operators about welcoming them.”