Turbine installation for Walney 2 near completion
During September, the installation activities have been slowed down due to adverse weather, and last week only had one working day, which was used to full extent to install one array cable and the third last wind turbine. After the installation, Kraken headed for the Harbour of Mostyn to get the last two turbines for Walney 2. 

 

Two more to go.

The weather forecast is not promising for the next days, but Kraken expects to get in position on site where it will await better weather conditions. The installation of the array cables has also been affected by the weather but is well under way; 28 out of the 51 array cables have been installed.

Work is commencing during the night utilising the weather windows.

Upon completion, Walney 1 + 2 will be the world's largest offshore wind farm 
Having installed 49 out of the 51 wind turbines, Walney 2 is already well under way. When the wind farm enters into production in late 2011, it will be the world's largest offshore wind farm. 

 

Shaping up to be the world's largest offshore wind farm.

With a total capacity of 367MW, Walney Offshore Windfarms will snap the title as the world's largest offshore wind farm from the 300MW Thannet. However, the title will be lost very quickly as the 500MW Greater Gabbard and 630MW London Array are both expected to be completed in 2012.

Walney 2 connected to the national grid
The onshore substation and the export cable are now energised and connected to the national grid. The Stanah 132kV onshore substation near Blackpool was energised on 22 August, and the export cable and the offshore transformer were energised on 29 August.

Exercise simulated vessel capsizing
Safety is a major priority on the Walney Offshore Windfarms, and in order to train the safety procedures, a number of exercises have been held. During the latest exercise, the scenario was capsizing of a large vessel resulting in 31 'staff' members overboard to be rescued and given first aid on the participating crew boats. All 31 were quickly rescued, and the exercise is now being evaluated. 

 

Guardian 3 during 'Man overboard' during rescuing exercise

Walney run marked the commissioning of Walney Offshore Windfarm 1
On Sunday 4 September, the local residents of Walney and Barrow were invited to join the marking of the completion of the Walney Offshore Windfarm 1.

The run was on roads and paths along the coast of the isle of Walney.

In cooperation with the local newspaper, North West Evening Mail, Barrow Borough Council, the local civic association, Friends of Walney, and Walney Offshore Windfarms invited the residents to a 5.1km running event – the Walney Fun Run.

Each runner ran 100 metres per installed wind turbine in Walney 1.

With the many wind turbines in the background, the 5.1km route was on roads and paths along the coast of the isle of Walney, which is the closest neighbour to the Walney 1 wind farm. 

 

There was activity in the Walney Offshore Windfarms marquee.