OGN, already a major player in the oil and gas offshore construction sector, has received a vote of confidence from the Department of Energy and Climate Change for its move into offshore wind technology. And the North East economy shares in the benefit with the creation of up to 1000 long term jobs.
The prototype
OGN subsidiary, OGN North Sea, will create a prototype steel jacketed foundation – Triton – designed and developed by its sister company, Aquind, at OGN’s Hadrian Yard site in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.
Read more: Alstom takes the lead with new prototype
Construction of the prototype will begin later this year. Aquind is set to become a leading player in renewables, with a particular focus on offshore wind technology and the generation of energy from wind farms in deeper waters.
Triton - designed for WTGs
Aquind’s Triton foundation structures are designed for large wind turbine generators (WTGs) in waters over 30m deep, which is relevant for over 70% of offshore wind installations in Round 3 developments.
Read more: Alstom 6MW delayed for June or July
This makes Triton an essential part of the solution to a sustainable and efficient offshore wind energy production. OGN’s new purpose-built facility at its Hadrian Yard in Wallsend will be capable of producing an unprecedented 150 Triton jackets a year (3 per week), significantly reducing foundation manufacturing and installation costs.
The faster manufacturing methods will help to remove a major supply chain bottleneck while securing the livelihood of over 1000 skilled workers in Tyne and Wear.
