DONG Energy’s new O&M building in North West England will help serve its two offshore wind farms in the area.
DONG Energy will build a new operations and maintenance (O&M) facility in Kings Wharf, Seacombe to support offshore wind projects. The facility will consist of a new office and warehouse building on a disused site.
Up to 75 jobs will be created during the construction of the facility, while around 45 people will be permanently employed at the site once it is operational. It will primarily serve the existing Burbo Bank offshore wind farm and the new Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm, currently under construction.
As part of the development, DONG Energy has committed to working on the river promenade adjacent to the site, which will improve the public amenity. This plan was developed through close cooperation with Wirral Council.
“I am delighted to announce that we are building this fantastic new facility in Merseyside to serve our offshore wind farms in the area,” said Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK Country Chairman. “DONG Energy is committed to investing in the UK and we are very proud to be playing an important role in the redevelopment of this part of Kings Wharf.”
Vessels are expected to be operated from the Seacombe Mersey Ferries terminal. Discussions are progressing with Mersey travel with a view to entering into a long-term agreement for shared use of the terminal to facilitate daily vessel access.
“The development will not only create jobs and bring new skills and expertise to the area in line with our Wirral Plan 2020 pledges; it regenerates a site in an important docklands location,” said Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council.
The whole facility will comprise an area of approximately 1,800 square meters. Enabling works for the site are currently underway and the main contractor is expected to commence construction later in the year with completion scheduled for mid-2017.
Burbo Bank has been operational since 2007 and has a total capacity of 90 MW. Burbo Bank Extension is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational in 2017. It will have a capacity of 258 MW, generating enough electricity to power approximately 230,000 homes.
Filed Under: News, O&M, Offshore wind
