Van Oord Places First Gemini Monopile
The first monopile at the Gemini wind park has been successfully installed. The wind park, owned by Northland Power (60%), Siemens (20%), Van Oord (10%) and HVC (10%) will consist of 150 monopiles.
Gemini will be built in the North Sea, and the building process is taking place over a three year period. The park encompasses two 34 square kilometer areas and is located 85 kilometers off the coast of Groningen.
The monopiles are being placed by the main contractor Van Oord with their own offshore installation vessel the Aeolus, and a second hired vessel, the Pacific Osprey of Swire Blue Ocean. Each steel monopile is designed for its specific location in the wind park. Depending on sea depth, they vary in length from 59 to 73 meters. The monopiles have a diameter of 7 meters, and a wall thickness of 7 to 11 centimeters.
“The installation of the first monopile is a special moment for everyone involved in the project,” says Matthias Haag, CEO of Gemini. “The installation constitutes a milestone in the construction phase and has been realized as planned through close collaboration with our project partners.”
During the three-year construction period, an estimated 500 people will work on the project. The park is expected to be fully operational by 2017. Once operational Gemini will generate clean and renewable energy for 1.5 million people in the Netherlands.
