Hornsea 3 thus joins sister projects Hornsea 1, with a capacity of 1.2 GW, and Hornsea 2, with a capacity of 1.3 GW. The two operational projects are already capable of generating enough electricity to supply 2.5 million UK homes.
To undertake this project, Sarens made use of Demag AC250, Liebherr LTM1100 and Sany STC600 cranes, configured with the main boom. These cranes were selected for their ease of transportation.
The Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm is the largest of Ørsted's ongoing North Sea project in the UK. This site, located 160 km off the Yorkshire coast and 120 km off the Norfolk coast will be capable of generating 2.9 GW of green electricity, enough to meet the average daily needs of more than 3.3 million homes.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, is carrying out heavy lifting work for its customer Aibel, supplier of two HVDC converter platforms for the Hornsea plant. HVDC units are complex and specialized installations that play a key role in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission systems. Their main function is to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and vice versa, thus enabling the efficient transmission of electricity over long distances.
To transport the modules that make up an HVDC converter platform (a complete unit can weigh up to 12,000 tons), it is necessary to use SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transport). The Sarens engineering team has been in charge of the unloading and assembly of this machinery, as well as the lifting of the PPU (Power Pack Unit), all drive components required to operate an SPMT combination, taking into consideration the support for the load module and the installation of all the loading ramps.
To undertake this project, Sarens made use of Demag AC250, Liebherr LTM1100 and Sany STC600 cranes, configured with the main boom. These cranes were selected for their ease of transportation. This equipment had to be transported to the Aibel site from different locations. The AC250 from Sarens yard to Aibel, a 2-hour move, while the LTM100 came from Zone 17 (Leamchabang) and the STC600 from Mapthaphut yard.
The equipment for supporting load-out lifting (SPMT) was lifted, with a height of approximately 10 meters, a weight of 20 tons, and a radius of 8 meters. The lift proceeded by slewing, and the operation involved one operator. Having an SPMT will allow the HVDC converter platform to be transported from Aibel Maptaphut's Rayong site to the barge that will transport it to the offshore wind facility.
The Hornsea 3 plant will not only help generate 2.9 GW of green electricity to the UK grid, it will also be a major driver of the economy. According to Ørsted, Hornsea 3 will contribute up to £8.5 billion to the economy through investment in the supply chain and the creation of thousands of jobs, both during construction and during decades of operation and maintenance.
Hornsea 3 thus joins sister projects Hornsea 1, with a capacity of 1.2 GW, and Hornsea 2, with a capacity of 1.3 GW. The two operational projects are already capable of generating enough electricity to supply 2.5 million UK homes with green energy.
Sarens has extensive international experience in the assembly and maintenance of wind farms. It has participated in various installations in France such as Fécamp, Saint Nazaire, Provence Grand Large and in the lifting and transport work for the foundation bases of the new offshore wind farm in Saint Brieuc, located off the Brittany coast. During this project, Sarens successfully transported loads weighing over 1150 tons. More recently, Sarens has been actively involved in the reception and loading operations of monopiles and transition pieces for 176 turbines for the Coastal Virginia Offshore wind farm in the US and the marshalling and installation of 62 monopiles in the Moray West offshore wind farm, each weighing up to 2000 tons, the largest and heaviest XXL monopiles ever to be handled in the UK.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/