Construction is beginning on the future Calvados Offshore Windfarm operations and maintenance base
Ouistreham, 18 November 2021 – Construction has just begun on the Calvados Offshore Windfarm operations and maintenance base on the Port of Caen-Ouistreham. This operations and maintenance base is to be the workplace of some one hundred people from 2023. The works are the fruit of a working partnership which the teams at Calvados Offshore Windfarm and Ports of Normandy committed themselves to several years ago, and is part of a major programme of investment in the port.
Kick-off for the construction of the Calvados Offshore Windfarm operations and maintenance base
The start of work on the maintenance base marks a new stage in the progress of the second Normandy offshore wind farm. The foundations and building frame should be complete by spring 2022 and the shell by summer 2022. Interior works will then take place until late 2022. Calvados Offshore Windfarm teams will be able to take possession of their workplace in early 2023. In the meantime, the teams involved in the project will be in temporary premises on the port.
The maintenance base will house a control and telecommunications room, changing rooms, offices and a warehouse area for the storage of the equipment needed for the maintenance of the windfarm. When fully complete, and for optimal production, it will operate 7 days a week.
The construction of the wind farm is progressing in line with the survey and consultation phases ongoing since 2007, as well as the connection works and marine exploration headed by RTE which are currently taking place.
“One of the highlights of the construction of Calvados Offshore Windfarm, the start of the works on the maintenance base at Ouistreham is the result of a long-term collaboration with the local stakeholders. One hundred people will work from here for the requirements of the operation and maintenance of the windfarm.” Bernard Guitton, Project Director for Calvados Offshore Windfarm (Courseulles-sur-Mer).
A vast investment programme for Ports of Normandy
In 2019 Ports of Normandy launched a vast programme, investing nearly €28m in Ouistreham outport:
- 2019-2020 installation of a lock entrance guide system, guaranteeing the economic future of the Caen-Ouistreham Port by enabling it to accommodate larger vessels in line evolving worldwide shipping traffic standards, as well as service pontoons (€14m).
- 2020, 3-hectare extension of the eastern pier in preparation for the construction of the future Calvados Offshore Windfarm maintenance base (€2.5m). To offset for the 3 hectares taken from the sea, Ports of Normandy has created a 4.5 hectare mudflat south of the marina, so as to provide a biodiverse environment where local species can thrive. Also in 2020, Ports of Normandy installed a slipway for the sailing school at Pointe Du Siège and a pontoon for the lifeboat.
In November 2021 the final phase of the works (€9m) to improve working conditions for the port community and the amenities at the marina and to accommodate the transport vessels for the operation and maintenance personnel at Calvados Offshore Windfarm will commence.
Ports of Normandy will be installing:- pontoons for fishing boats,
- 30 – 40 extra holding berths for visiting pleasure craft,
- a slipway open to all in the outport and a dedicated car park,
- pontoons reserved for marine renewable energy operations.
These have all been preceded by studies and preparatory works at a cost of €2.4m, which brings the total investment up to €27.9m (Région Normandie – €7.5m, Département du Calvados – €4.1m and Caen la Mer €0.45m).
“Through this €28m investment, Ports of Normandy confirms their position as a key player in the port sector in all its forms: leisure, fishing, trade, cross-Channel, Marine Renewable Energies …, a partner which honours their commitment to the economic development of Normandy.” Hervé Morin, President of Ports of Normandy and Région Normandie
