America’s first wind turbine installation vessel to start work late

In a presentation issued to coincide with a Q3 earnings call, the owner of the vessel, Dominion Energy, said the vessel is not now expected to be cleared to load and install wind turbines until later in November.

Although the vessel has successfully completed sea trials, received sign-offs and arrived in Portsmouth, Virginia in September, and although wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa successfully completed all necessary modifications for turbine handling and installation, Dominion Energy has identified ‘punch list’ items that require remediation prior to turbine load out and installation.

“While all major systems are operational, there are a variety of quality-assurance items that require addressing, and those tasks are currently underway,” said the company. “The vessel is expected to be cleared to load and install turbines in November.”

The company noted there are no time of year or time of day restrictions on installing turbines for the project, so once the issues have been addressed, the ship can start work.

Dominion Energy said the cost of building vessel, including financing, continues to be “approximately US$715M.”