PowerChina Huadong Engineering (HDEC) has awarded a contract to Atkins to design the offshore substation platform at the Yellow Sea-located 300MW Binhai South Phase 3 offshore wind farm.
Atkins’ scope for the offshore wind farm, which is owned by the State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), includes ground engineering and structural work associated with the offshore substation topside and jacket foundation.
Atkins offshore engineering lead Andy Thompson said: “This project is a tremendous opportunity for international collaboration that will benefit the evolution of offshore wind expertise and help ensure the industry continues to grow as a reliable source of energy.
“In line with our strategic ambitions to expand our offshore wind business into new areas, our first step into China working with SPIC and HDEC is an exciting one.”
For the Binhai South Phase 3 offshore windfarm contract, Atkins’ renewables team, with an experience in designing over a dozen offshore substation platforms in Europe, will use standardised components.
The UK-based company aims to complete the project in half the time it has been given and at the same time ensuring that the most rigorous safety standards are met in accordance with European and international codes.
Atkins is a designer of offshore wind farm substation platforms and foundations in Europe.
Its recent design and installations include the XL monopile foundations for Statoil’s Dudgeon offshore wind farm, and the installation of the offshore substations at Dong Energy’s Burbo Bank Extension and Race Bank offshore wind projects.
Recently, Atkins has partnered with a software company Aditazz to develop a new, holistic approach for optimization of offshore wind farm projects, and in turn improving the complete design and development process dramatically.