Atkins is offering technical support to EDF Energy Renewables during construction of the 41.5MW Blyth offshore demonstrator wind farm in the UK.

The engineering company has already reviewed designs, provided risk management services and technical assurance reviews for the project.

Atkins was later appointed to undertake technical assurance review services.

Atkins project manager for the UK and Europe energy business Faisal Razzaq said: “This project has been a great opportunity for Atkins to show that we can do more than just foundation design.

"From just a single person originally seconded into the client’s office, we now have had a large team working on this project drawing in expertise from around the energy business.”

The wind farm which will be located 5.7km off the coast near Blyth, will feature 15 turbines that would generate enough energy to power about 34,000 homes.

The project will include hybrid concrete gravity base foundations, which is more commonly found in oil and gas platforms.

Atkins noted that though this is the first time that such structures are being used for offshore wind farms, its experience in designing offshore wind foundations and 40 years of working in oil and gas sector has been invaluable in reviewing the designs.

The foundations were designed and built by BAM-Nuttall Group on the Tyne and will be floated to the site and sunk in position with ballast, which can keep the foundations in place.

Atkins’ foundation package, design assurance and quality engineer Fran McCord who was sent on deputation to EDF Energy in 2015 said: “This is a novel project for the UK and for the wider industry, and it’s a very exciting one to have been involved in.

“Our offshore wind technical expertise, as well as our experience in oil and gas marine structures, has been important to ensuring the overall designs will work offshore by flagging modifications earlier for example, helping to save time and money.”

Image: Atkins to act as technical advisor for EDF Energy’s Blyth offshore wind farm. Photo: Courtesy of xedos4/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.