Navantia delivers first jacket foundation for Wikinger offshore windfarm

Navantia in Spain has delivered the first jacket-type foundation to Iberdrola for the Wikinger offshore windfarm. The jackets are being built by Navantia’s shipyard in Fene by a consortium consisting of Navantia and Windar.

A ceremony to mark the occasion was attended by the president of Galicia, Alberto Núñez Feijóo; the chairman of Iberdrola, Ignacio Sánchez Galán; and Navantia president José Manuel Revuelta.

Navantia was awarded the contract to build the jacket foundations in December 2014. It is building a total of 29 jackets at Fene; Windar is building 116 piles at its facility in Avilés. The jackets weigh 630 tonnes and are 62m high. They have a footprint of 25m x 25m.

Iberdrola’s chairman, Ignacio Galán, highlighted the positive effect that Iberdrola’s activity in offshore wind is having on Spanish companies. “Wikinger is a landmark project for Iberdrola. It brings together our strong commitment to renewable energy and technical innovation, internationalisation and a contribution to economic development and job creation in the areas in which we operate. We are very pleased that Spanish suppliers are involved in this project.”

Mr Revuelta said: “This agreement positions Navantia as builder of structures for offshore windfarms, which is a booming sector in Europe. It enables Navantia diversify our offer and provide work in a sector that is complementary to the naval sector.”