Mojo Maritime recognised for its expertise in complex tidal turbine retrieval project
Selected as the world leader in tidal energy marine operations, Mojo Maritime – subsidiary of James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS), was awarded a contract with SABELLA SAS (SABELLA). A French tidal energy company, SABELLA required the retrieval and demonstration of re-installation of its D10 tidal turbine to enable planned maintenance to improve a continued secure source of electricity power supply, the company said in its press release.
The scope of the first phase of the tidal device contract included the design and manufacture of bespoke, project critical equipment, a remote launch and recovery system and docking frame, which were both manufactured and commissioned to a high standard exceptionally quickly to meet a very short lead time due to the project’s demanding schedule. The D10 turbine will be reinstalled during the autumn after a period of maintenance.
SABELLA’s D10 tidal turbine is the first device to have ever exported electricity onto the French power grid, achieving 70MWh of production so far. The device has been installed to provide electricity to nearby isolated Ushant Island, which previously produced all of its electricity with diesel generators, and its inhabitants are the first people to consume marine generated electricity in France.
The retrieval project was lead locally through Mojo Maritime France SA to allow efficient project management with SABELLA, local sub-contractors and coordination of all logistics within French waters. The operation was undertaken using the DP-3 vessel Aker Wayfarer.
Mojo Maritime is renowned for its specialist project management and consultancy services, utilising its sophisticated marine operations planning and analysis system, Mermaid®, to provide advanced understanding of the weather risk of the device retrieval project, and its potential impact on the schedule to enable significant cost reductions and project optimisation.
The contract is a continuation of JFMS and Mojo Maritime’s success in the marine energy sector, which includes the Ramsay sound and MeyGen projects, and is a timely win, as the French government has recently committed to significant investment in marine renewable energy over the next seven years. Marine energy is part of its energy transition plan to build sustainable, green growth, with an aim of achieving 100MW of installed projects by 2023 and JFMS and Mojo are extremely well placed to deliver their combined expertise.