Construction of Wind mill park C-power gradually takes form

The first six foundation towers of phase 1 are currently being built on the ‘Halve Maan’ site on the Eastern Banks of the port of Oostende. These concrete socles on which the largest off-shore wind turbines in the world will soon be mounted are clearly visible. The transport of these foundation towers are planned for early 2008.

‘Halve Maan’ site
The ‘Halve Maan’ site was fortified this summer to be able to carry 10 Tons per square meter (Formerly the carrying capacity was 4 Tons per square meter). To this end no less than 342 reinforced and 626 unreinforced piles were driven into the ground. On top of that an armoured concrete plate with a cross-section of 75 cm was cast. The quay wall also had to be demolished for the largest part and replaced to meet the large carrying-capacity. This latest work is currently being executed. The six foundation towers are gradually being built. The yellow casing of the most progressed foundation foot already marks the building area in a striking way and gradually climbs to its final height of 44 meters or 2800 tons of armoured concrete.

Off-shore building on Thornton bank
The sea floor also has to be prepared for any foundation. In first instance a construction well is dredged and a gravel layer is spread out on the ocean floor. The next step is the placement of a foundation on the prepared sea floor. To this end a floating hoist pontoon is used to transport the foundation towers from the “Halve Maan” site to the Thornton Bank. Once the towers are in place the construction well is filled up again with sand around the foot of the foundation, so that these can be anchored in the sea floor. Afterwards a foundation of stones against soil erosion has been cast.

Construction windmills
The wind turbines are delivered in parts on the construction site of the “Halve Maan” in Oostende. The mast consists of two parts of 37,5 m length each and on top of that also the gondola, the rotor and the three wings. These different parts will be transported separately to the ‘Thortonbank’ where they are mounted on the foundation towers.

Operational
The first six wind turbines should be operational towards September 2008. The first energy should than be transported to shore. A trial run will be done during a year. Eighteen turbines will be placed in 2009 and 36 turbines in 2010. The windmill park should be completely operational by 2011.

Source:Transportweekly