Wikinger is an offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, about 75 kilometres from the northern German coast. When it comes onstream in the second half of 2017, the wind farm will supply clean, renewable energy to more than 350,000 local households. ArcelorMittal partner Navantia was commissioned to produce jackets and piles for 29 wind turbines and an offshore substation which controls the energy flowing from Wikinger.
The Wikinger wind farm was developed by the Spanish electricity producer Iberdrola. In December 2014, Iberdrola awarded the contract for the foundation jackets and piles to a joint venture formed by Navantia and Windar Renovables (Daniel Alonso Group). Together the partners will produce 116 piles and 29 type-B jackets which are being installed at depths ranging from 36 to 39 metres below sea level.
In addition to the jackets, Navantia also produced the Wikinger offshore substation at its facility in Puerto Real (near Cadiz, Spain). “These commissions represent the first offshore wind projects built by Navantia,” notes Raúl Rico, Navantia’s Wikinger project manager. “However, Navantia has been involved in several onshore renewable energy development projects including wind farms and hydroelectric installations.”
To create the piles and jackets, Navantia and its partner utilised heavy steel plates produced at ArcelorMittal Gijón. “The primary steel grade used was S355NL, in thicknesses ranging from 19.1 up to 60 mm,” explains Raúl Rico.
Most of the steel structural parts were given a protective coating to prevent corrosion in the offshore environment. Some jacket elements which sit below the water have additional cathodic protection.
