Thornton Bank – Belgium’s first offshore wind farm

EDF Energies Nouvelles said it has begun first phase construction of one of Europe’s largest offshore wind farms in Zeebrugge, Belgium, in conjunction with its Belgian C-Power consortium partners.

In a statement, the energy group said the first future wind farm is likely to have 60 wind turbines with a maximum capacity of 300 MW. The wind farm is expected to supply about 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, about one third of Belgium?EUR(TM)s renewable energy target in 2010.

The project will be built under three turn-key contracts:

– REpower, a turbine manufacturer, will supply the wind turbines and perform the operations and maintenance services,
– Dredging International, the Vinci group?EUR(TM)s maritime construction subsidiary, will build the foundations,
– the Dredging and Fabricom GTI consortium will supply and install the electrical equipment.

This project is owned by a group of companies, working together under the C-Power Belgian consortium in which EDF Energies Nouvelles has a 20.8% shareholding.

International Marine Consultancy has provided various types of floating equipment (tugs, barges, jack-ups, crew boats, multicats and other shallow draft vessels) to many offshore construction sites. IMC has close and long standing relationships with operators in over 50 countries across seven continents enabling us to find you the right piece of equipment.