The Noirmoutier offshore wind farm is slated for commissioning in 2025 and is expected to significantly contribute to sustainable energy efforts. With a total capacity of 496 MW, it aims to produce an average of 1,900 GWh per year, enough to supply nearly 800,000 people with clean electricity, thus exceeding the current population needs of Vendée. Strategically positioned off the coast of Vendée, the wind farm is located 11.6 kilometres from the island of Yeu and 16.5 kilometres from Noirmoutier. It will be equipped with 61 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW wind turbines, optimizing the area’s wind resources for renewable energy production.
The first transition pieces (TPs) have already been unloaded at the terminal in Vlissingen on February 19th. Smulders manufactures the transition pieces in Hoboken, Belgium. Each transition piece is 29.5 metres tall, with a diameter of 6 metres, and weigh just over 360 tonnes. BOW Terminal is responsible for unloading the TPs, storing them, and transferring them alongside the UHL Force, which will transport the TPs to France. Additionally, BOW Terminal facilitates Smulders in preparing the TPs for transportation to France.
“Smulders' selection of BOW Terminal for the temporary storage and completion of transition pieces (TPs) before their shipment to the final customer in France underscores the strategic advantage of our terminal's location. This decision reaffirms our facility's pivotal role in supporting the development of offshore wind farms in the North Sea and further afield in the foreseeable future.”