A joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures called SMart Wind has installed the first meteorological mast at the 4GW Hornsea offshore wind zone in UK waters.
It is the first installation of the nine zones awarded development licences by the Crown Estate in 2009. The met mast utilises the world's first twisted jacket design, aimed at reducing offshore costs, which was developed through funding from the Carbon Trust and in partnership with Dong Energy.
The mast will collect wind data up to 103 metres above sea level using a suite of metocean instruments including cup and ultrasonic anamometers, wind vanes, sea and air temperatures and a wave height reader. Construction on the Hornsea project is expected to begin in 2014.
Chris Huhne, Energy Secretary, said, 'I'm pleased to announce today that a project funded through the Offshore Wind Accelerator has been successfully installed with a met mast by the SMart Wind consortium, with funding support from Dong Energy. This kind of innovation will bring down the cost of offshore wind faster.'
Benj Sykes, director of innovation at the Carbon Trust, added, 'The installation of the 'twisted jacket' marks an important step for UK offshore wind in embracing foundation technology that could dramatically reduce construction costs. The Carbon Trust congratulates our Offshore Wind Accelerator partners Mainstream, Dong Energy and Keystone Engineering in successfully deploying what is a cost-effective design well suited to future mass production.'