The global offshore wind industry is developing the next generation of offshore wind turbines. These turbines can be more than 270 metres high and are fitted with blades of 120 metres long. Offshore installation vessels currently available on the market are facing increasing difficulties to install these types of turbines due to the turbines’ sizes and installation heights, as well as the ever-increasing foundation dimensions. PES brings you the latest update from the Jan De Nul Group.
Based on the above findings the Jan De Nul Group decided to design and order the Voltaire earlier this year. The Voltaire is a revolutionary offshore jack-up installation vessel, named after the French writer, historian and philosopher François-Marie Arouet, known by his pseudonym Voltaire and as an icon of the European Enlightenment of the 18th century. Both Voltaire and our jack-up vessel are pioneers within their field of expertise.
This is the third vessel of its kind in the Jan De Nul fleet, after the Vole au vent and the Taillevent. With an unrivalled crane capacity of over 3,000 tonnes, this jack-up vessel will be able to support the renewable energy industry to build the future wind farms at sea. ‘Upon her delivery in 2022, we will be capable of efficiently installing the next generation of offshore wind turbine generators and foundations,’ says Philippe Hutse, Offshore Director at Jan De Nul Group.
This investment is a logical step forward in the development of Jan De Nul’s offshore wind capacities. ‘The third jack-up vessel will enable us to cope with our increased number of offshore wind projects worldwide,’ Philippe Hutse continues. ‘We recognize the global trend towards larger wind turbines for increased green energy demands. The Voltaire will have all the required specifications to meet the upcoming challenges.’
