Aibel has officially started construction of the Dogger Bank A offshore wind platform after cutting the first steel in Thailand at a solemn ceremony with worshipping and blessing by Thai monks.

In keeping with tradition, the steel was blessed by a monk before the first cut. (All photos: Aibel)

The traditional ceremony was held at subcontractor Deeline, partly owned by Aibel, in the Rayong District and within short distance of Aibel’s assembly yard in Laem Chabang.

The ceremony at Deeline was attended by Thai-based management, employees and customer representatives from Equinor and SSE Renewables.

In recent years, this has been the starting point for several large Aibel projects, which has led to continuous investments and development of the facilities to meet market requirements and the ongoing energy transition. This was addressed in the recorded video speech by Aibel’s Executive Vice President for Field Development and Offshore Wind, Nils Arne Hatleskog.

“I’m proud of you all and what you have achieved in recent years. This first cut milestone marks a new era for Deeline, Aibel Thailand and Aibel as a whole, as we once again demonstrate our competiveness and ability to execute complex projects – not only within oil and gas, but also in renewables. And I’m sure that the Dogger Bank project will be delivered as agreed,” he said.

Cutting of the first steel

Most recently, Aibel Thailand has delivered huge modules for Gudrun, Troll, the Johan Sverdrup drilling platform and a large number of FPSO modules to several projects worldwide. Currently, the largest module for the Johan Sverdrup P2 platform is under construction at Aibel’s yard in Thailand.

Ahead of the construction start of the Dogger Bank A platform, both Deeline and Aibel has invested heavily in upgrading of facilities. This includes a new 112,000 m2 assembly area with three new halls for painting, sand blasting and surface treatment at the Laem Chabang yard. Specifically for the Dogger Bank project, Deeline has built a new 120 x 30 metres hall with a panel line to increase efficiency in production of the large steel plates for the offshore wind platforms.

Managing Director of Aibel Thailand, Nick Routledge, was among the speakers at the ceremony. Speeches from Norwegian management was video recorded due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Aibel’s Project Director for Dogger Bank, Per Tore Larsen, said.
“The entire project team has put down a lot of effort to be ready for today. Not only in terms of physical facilities, but also time spent on developing a positive project culture. This has really paid off during the corona period, and I am very proud of how positive and patient everybody have been in this regard. That’s one of the reasons why we are able to celebrate this milestone today on time according to the original plan,”

The ceremony started early in the morning.

The Dogger Bank A platform will be delivered from Thailand in spring 2022, and will head to Aibel in Haugesund for installation of HV equipment. In late spring 2023, the platform will be installed and put into production at the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm in the UK part of the North Sea.

Aibel is also awarded the contract for the Dogger Bank B platform, and an option for Dogger Bank C. Construction is scheduled for startup in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm

Aibel was awarded the contract in November 2019 by the SSE Renewables and Equinor consortium who are developing the world's largest offshore wind farm in the Dogger Bank area in the UK part of the North Sea.

Initially, Aibel will deliver two converter platforms for the Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B projects (former Creyke Beck A and Creyke Beck B). The contract has an option for a third platform for the Dogger Bank C project (former Teeside A) at the same wind farm. Dogger Bank A and B will have a lean design, with a steel jacket structure and no living quarter or helideck. The platforms will normally be unmanned, operated from shore and accessed only by SOV (Service Operations Vessel).

The project is headed from Haugesund, while construction of the topsides will take place at Aibel's yard in Thailand. They will then be transported to Haugesund, where they will be outfitted with ABB's latest generation HVDC converter technology, before final completion and commissioning.

Key Facts

• Contract: EPCIC (engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning)
• Client: Equinor and SSE Renewables consortium
• Value: More than NOK 2.5 billion
• Delivery: Dogger Bank A in Q2 of 2023. The delivery of Dogger Bank B is scheduled for Q2 of 2024 and Dogger Bank C Q2 2025.
• The Dogger Bank offshore wind farm will have a combined capacity of up to 3.6 GW, and it is expected to produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 4.5 million UK homes.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Aibel