Construction gets underway at Fryslân windfarm

The windfarm is being built in the Frisian part of the IJsselmeer at Breezanddijk. Because of the shallow water in the IJsselmeer and the limited breadth of the locks serving it, it is not possible to work with conventional offshore wind installation vessels, so contractor Van Oord built has built a work platform from which a crane will lift and install the foundations. After that, the working platform will also be used to install the wind turbines.

In the next few months, the Zuiderzeewind consortium will work seven days a week, 24 hours a day, installing the foundations. Weather permitting, two foundation piles will be driven into ground every day. All of the foundations are due to be in place by January 2021.

The Fryslân wind turbines will be installed in the IJsselmeer in a hexagon-shaped cluster. This arrangement will ensure the visual impact is minimised as much as possible.

After the foundations have been installed, the cables will be installed. Installation of the turbines is due to start in early 2021. The windfarm is due to enter into operation mid-2021.

The Zuiderzeewind consortium includes Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Van Oord. 4.3-MW wind turbines were selected for the project.