UK-based marine and engineering consultancy LOC Renewables is carrying out marine warranty surveying (MWS) services on what will be the world’s biggest wind farm, DONG Energy’s Hornsea Project One.

Currently, the UK generates more electricity from offshore wind than any other country, meeting 5% of total national demand. That figure is likely to grow, with the sector predicted to be worth just under £3 billion to the UK economy by 2030. Hornsea Project One, with a capacity of 1.2GW, will be crucial to meeting these projected energy targets.

As a leading international marine and engineering consultancy, LOC Renewables has been contracted by the project owner, Dong Energy, to provide early advice and MWS for the offshore substation and array cable installation packages.

Working with contractor teams on site, LOC will review the procedures and technical designs for the transportation and installation for offshore substations and for array cables connecting turbines to the substations.

With Hornsea Project One being larger and further from shore than any UK wind farm to date, LOC’s MWS service will provide assurance to the contractors, the developer, and their underwriters that the transportation and installation of all offshore substations and array cables will be conducted safely and effectively within the challenging operating conditions imposed by the project’s unique location.

Mike McLachlan, Project Director for Renewables MWS at LOC, welcomed the agreement, saying: “Hornsea Project One will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, and as such is a step-change in the development of offshore wind in the UK.”

“The marine warranty services we’re providing will ensure that, when the construction phase gets under way, it builds on solid foundations that meet the highest technical standards.”

“Developing the UK supply chain is key to bringing down the cost of offshore wind, and we have contracted many UK suppliers for Hornsea Project One,” added Duncan Clark, Senior Programme Director, at Dong Energy.

“As a UK-based leader in marine warranty surveying, with an international pedigree, LOC was the ideal choice to undertake this work for what will be the biggest wind farm in the world.”

In addition to those located in UK waters, LOC has provided services on more than two thirds of European offshore wind farms.