Windpark Fryslân awarded a conditional contract to build the large-scale nearshore wind farm in the Frisian part of the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands to Zuiderzeewind, a consortium consisting of Van Oord and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Signed in Amsterdam, the conditional contract comprises the construction of the 380-plus MW nearshore wind farm as well as service operations for at least 16 years following completion. Van Oord – Siemens Gamesa were named preferred contractor for the project on 3 August 2018. The final investment decision is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2019.
The Windpark Fryslân project is to be built in the IJsselmeer to the south of the Afsluitdijk near Breezanddijk. With an output capacity of over 382.7 MW, the wind farm is expected to account for more than 70% of the Province of Friesland’s 2020 renewable energy target of 530 MW. The wind farm is planned to feature 89 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines arranged in a cluster. Each SWT-DD-130 wind turbine has a capacity of 4.3 MW and a rotor diameter of 130 metres. Construction of the project begins this year, and is intended to be fully operational by 2021.
As part of the Zuiderzeewind consortium, Van Oord is responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the wind farm’s foundations and cables. In addition, Van Oord will deliver the equipment to install the wind turbines. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is responsible for the design, fabrication, and commissioning of the wind turbines and the onshore substation at Breezanddijk on the Afsluitdijk. An integrated design team will bring together professionals from both companies to collaborate closely on both the foundations and the wind turbines.
The construction of the wind farm also includes the creation of a nature reserve island south of the Afsluitdijk, with a land area of 2 ha and a submerged area of 25 ha. During the construction of the wind farm, the island can be used as a work platform. At the same time, it will be developed into a bird sanctuary, providing additional quality to resting and foraging habitats for fish and birds.