ESS completes clearance for DONG Energy’s Race Bank Offshore Wind project

Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) has completed a second major seabed clearance project on behalf of DONG Energy on what will be one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms. The Scottish subsea technology specialist cleared more than 3,000 boulders at the site of the DONG Energy’s Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, located off the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast.

ESS deployed the latest version of its SCAR 2 Seabed System – a multi-purpose plough capable of boulder clearing, trenching, and various seabed route preparation works. A multi-function ROV grab was used to remove boulders and debris that were more sparsely located or situated in awkward positions.

“With our SCAR Seabed System we have set the standard for technology which is reliable and robust in the delivery of fast and efficient seabed clearance projects,” said ESS Commercial Director, Keith McDermott. “We were working in some very difficult environmental conditions and with a variety of soil conditions and the SCAR proved its worth on both counts.”

The boulder clearing took place across the export corridor, array cable routes and turbine locations, with 30-meter plus clearance corridors created using multi-pass capability.

“We are constantly reviewing SCAR to introduce improvements which bring savings to the client and this latest version SCAR 2 has a 15-meter wide capacity compared to earlier 10-meter models,” said McDermott.

Race Bank Offshore Wind will consist of 91, 6-MW wind turbines. The £5 million contract followed the successful completion of a similar project by ESS on DONG Energy’s Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm.

Mr McDermott added: “We have built up a wealth of experience in the renewables sector and the SCAR Seabed System is a pioneer in seabed and cable route preparation work-scopes. We are targeting a number of planned European wind farm projects where we think ESS can add value to the construction phase.”