E.On says that it is planning to be on the island of Helgoland "for the long term" after starting the construction of its operations and maintenance base for the Amrumbank West offshore wind farm.
E.On says that it is planning to be on the island of Helgoland "for the long term" after starting the construction of its operations and maintenance base for the Amrumbank West offshore wind farm.
The German utility is carrying out an extensive conversion of the island’s southern harbour as part of the Amrumbank West project in the German North Sea.
The operations and maintenance building will provide space for offices, changing rooms and storage and will support 50 staff working in shifts to support the operation of the 288 MW wind farm by boat and helicopter.
Dominik Schwegmann, the Amrumbank West wind farm project manager, said: "Helgoland is very conveniently located and therefore an ideal maintenance base for our offshore wind farm – that way we don’t have to have a hotel ship or a manned offshore platform next to the wind turbines.
"We are planning to be on Helgoland for the long term. The lease for the land has an initial term of 28 years. We are pleased that the island will benefit so much from this infrastructure upgrade."
Other upgrades to the port at Helgoland include the construction of new service and storage buildings as well as jetties. In the harbour itself there will be new piers and breakwater structures.
Amrumbank West will consist of 80 Siemens wind turbines. Construction is already underway and will be completed in the spring of 2015.