Greater Gabbard Monopile Row Continues

UK: The consortium behind the 500MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm has said it may counter-sue in its dispute with contractor Fluor over the quality of the project’s monopiles.

Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Limited (GGOWL), which is jointly owned by Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) and RWE, was hit by a £300 million claim earlier this year from engineering firm Fluor.

However, while stating the project’s 140 turbines would be installed at the end of 2012, although there was a possibility it could over run. GGWOL also said it was considering counter-suing Fluor.

It said: “GGOWL is also continuing to test the structural integrity of a number of the monopiles and transition pieces that are the subject of this dispute to determine whether they meet the required standard and it retains the option of submitting its own substantial claim against Fluor Limited should the need arise.”

Giving a wider update on progress at Greater Gabbard, GGWOL said All 140 monopiles and transition pieces are in place and 115 turbines have been installed.  Seventy-two turbines and two offshore substations were connected earlier this year and over 80% of the total subsea cable length is now in place.