Dubai: Drydocks World is to build the world's largest Wind Power Offshore Platform structure for Aibel, the Norwegian energy service provider.
The platform, named DolWin, will be built for the DolWin wind farm cluster near Dollart in the German sector of the North Sea.
The length of the platform will be 92.3 metres while its breadth will be 72.8 metres. Details of the cost were not immediately available.
According to Jan Skogseth, Aibel chief executive officer, the project will involve around 20,000 tonnes of steel.
"It is the largest converter platform built until now. It will convert AC power into DC power before it is sent onshore," Skogseth said.
Upon completion, the platform will be transported to Aibel's yard in Haugesund, Norway, for the outfitting. In the summer of 2014 Aibel will tow the platform from Haugesund to the offshore site in the North Sea and instal the platform on the seabed. The platform is expected to be delivered at the end of 2013.
A number of international companies placed bids for the project. Dubai Drydocks was chosen because it "came out best in terms of capability, both technically and commercially," Skogseth said.
Khamis Juma Bu Amim, chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World, said: "We have developed sustained interest in projects that facilitate improvement in green energy. Environment protection and maintenance is ingrained in our corporate value system and we have made all possible efforts to enhance and streamline our processes and production system to fall in line."
Skogseth said more orders could be in the offing as Aibel are looking to build up to 10 platforms in the future.
