MPI powers ahead with latest vessel

A NORTH Yorkshire company that has become a world leader in offshore wind turbine installation is continuing to power the future with the launch of its latest vessel.

MPI Offshore, based in Stokesley, has finished building its second wind turbine installation vessel, MPI Adventure, at a cost of €150m.

The Adventure has now started work on the installation of foundations for the London Array Offshore Wind Farm, which when complete will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

In the first phase of the project, 175 turbines with a combined capacity of 630 megawatts will be installed generating enough energy to power around 480,000 homes a year. 

A second 370MW phase, which is dependent upon further environmental studies, will increase capacity to 1,000MW.

Paul Gibson, chairman of MPI Offshore, said: “I am delighted to see the significant progress that is being made in our business to facilitate the installation of offshore wind. The MPI team and I still have a lot of hard work ahead of us to embrace the exciting challenges the offshore wind industry has to offer.” 

MPI Offshore’s first vessel, MPI Resolution, completed the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm last summer for European energy company Vattenfall.

The farm has the capacity to produce on average enough electricity to supply more than 200,000 homes with clean electricity.

Both vessels are unique in their capability to ‘jack-up’ out of the water using hydraulic cylinders to raise the vessel on its six legs.

This provides a stable platform to assemble all wind turbine components including their foundations, which are plied into the sea bed.

MPI Offshore has also commissioned a third vessel, the MPI Discovery, which is due for delivery later this year.

 

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