Location: Netherlands, North Sea
Vessel: Sleipnir
Project Name: Hollandse Kust (west) Beta
Water Depth: 25.6 meters
Type: Jacket Piles
Date: May 2024
In May 2024, GeoDrive partnered once again with Heerema Marine Contractors, commissioned by Smulders and Equans, for the installation of Tennet’s Hollandse Kust (west) Beta platform in the North Sea. Utilizing the massive capabilities of the Sleipnir vessel, this project involved the precise placement of a jacket structure supported by four piles, two of which were equipped with GeoDrive’s in-house fabricated pile monitoring solutions.
Despite the towering presence of the Sleipnir over the ‘small’ jacket, the jacket itself plays a critical role in the renewable energy landscape. As a 700 MW electrical outlet, this platform will gather electricity generated by offshore wind turbines and transmit it to the Dutch coast, significantly contributing to the nation’s sustainable energy infrastructure.
GeoDrive was entrusted with delivering pile monitoring solutions, essential for the success of this installation. Our responsibilities included providing underwater cables, sensor sets, and PDA (Pile Driving Analyzer) measurement systems. By monitoring two of the four piles, we ensured they were driven accurately to the seabed at a depth of 25.6 meters. The data collected by our PDA monitoring equipment allowed for detailed CAPWAP Analysis, which was performed by GeoDrive personnel, establishing a load-bearing capacity for each pile.
Throughout the project, our team faced some challenging weather conditions, including thick fog banks that obstructed visibility each morning. Despite these challenges, the weather cleared up in the final days, allowing for a smooth and sunny sail back home. The team mentions that sailing into the Port of Rotterdam with the Sleipnir was an experience in itself. For a closer look at what our offshore team faced, TenneT has released a video about the installation of the jacket, offering a real insight into the offshore world. You can check it out here. If you look closely in TenneT’s video, you might even spot some of our measurement cables running from the piles to the Sleipnir!
The Hollandse Kust (west) Beta project marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future, with many similar initiatives anticipated in the North Sea. GeoDrive takes great pride in contributing to this vital project and is eager to continue supporting the growth of renewable energy in our home base, the North Sea. We remain committed to delivering sustainable energy solutions for Dutch households and beyond.
