Official inauguration of Walney Offshore Windfarms
February 9th, 2012, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, located in the East Irish Sea, will be inaugurated by Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change The Rt. Hon. Chris Huhne, MP.

Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall will be the gravitation point for this grand celebration marking a milestone to the Cumbria County and expansion of renewable generation in the UK having the potential to power more than 320,000 British homes with carbon neutral electricity.

   Some of the 102 new turbines in Walney Offshore Windfarms seen from the shores of Walney. 

Walney 2 came on stream November 1st, 2011, and was installed within only 5 months and 13 days. This is the fastest construction of an offshore wind farm ever carried out by any offshore wind power operator. The last turbine blade was installed on 22 September.

Mild, but windy weather
The progress on Walney 2 is still dramatically affected by the windy weather, which has lasted for several months. The commissioning of the turbines requires a number of technician visits to each turbine in order to secure all settings and that communication is in a proper order.

For safety reasons, the visits are generally restricted to take place at a significant wave height below 1.2 metres, provided the wind and current are acceptable; however, during last couple of months, the weather windows, where personnel transfer to the turbines is possible, have been very limited. 

Commissioning of the turbines requires a number of visits to each turbine.

According to statistics, offshore activities in the winter are more unlikely than in the summer months, but this winter has been much worse than the statistical average.

 
Statistically the wave should be above 1.5 metres approx. 30 percent of the time in December. December 2011 this has been the case in approx. 75 percent of the time.

Next cable string has been energised
Despite the weather, it has been possible to energise the next cable string with eight turbines. Energizing the cable string is a vital part of the commissioning of the turbines, and the eight turbines connected to the string are expected to have first power in near future – depending on the weather.

All array cables have been jetted
Swiber Else-Marie has jetted all array cables in Walney 2 down into the seabed and has demobilised for other jobs.

Rolling Stone is expected any day
At the end of January or beginning of February, the vessel Rolling Stone will start placing the armour stones as scour protection around the turbine positions in Walney 2.

Marine Coordinator reduces hours of operation
During the installation process, the marine coordinator office has been manned 24/7, but at the beginning of February, the marine coordinator office will primarily be manned from 06:00 to 18:00 due to the diminishing activity. In periods with offshore activity on the foundations or turbines or diving activity, the office will be manned 24/7. 

    Marine Coordinator directing offshore traffic.