Yeu-Noirmoutier Offshore Windfarm
Project title: Yeu-Noirmoutier Offshore Windfarm
Project location: Offshore islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, France
Client: Eoliennes en Mer Yeu-Noirmoutier (EMYN)
Services:
- Marine Warranty Survey (MWS)
- Transportation and installation assurance
- Offshore Substation (OSS) package
- Monopile and Transition Piece foundation package
- Inter-Array Cable (IAC) package
- Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) package
Project Summary:
ABL was appointed by Eoliennes en Mer Yeu-Noirmoutier (EMYN) to provide Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) services for the construction, transportation and installation of the 488 MW Yeu-Noirmoutier Offshore Windfarm, located off the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, France, in water depths of 20 m to 35 m.
ABL delivered MWS services across four principal packages: the Offshore Substation (OSS), monopile and transition piece foundations, Inter-Array Cables (IAC), and Wind Turbine Generators (WTG).
The wind farm comprises 61 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines. Its major components were fabricated and marshalled across Europe and Asia before offshore installation using specialist heavy-lift, jack-up and cable-lay vessels.
Project Challenges
The offshore campaign combined large, heavy components, multiple contractors, and specialist installation methods in a location exposed to challenging Gulf of Biscay weather and a rocky seabed.
Key challenges included:
Weather-restricted offshore operations in challenging Gulf of Biscay conditions.
A rocky seabed requiring large-diameter monopiles and drilling during foundation installation.
Potentially high impact loads on jack-up legs during operations on the rocky seabed.
WTG loadout operations carried out
in floating mode.
Coordination of transport and installation activities across the OSS, foundation, IAC and WTG packages.
Our Solutions
ABL deployed a dedicated French-based MWS team to provide integrated assurance across the Offshore Substation, foundations, inter-array cables and wind turbine packages. Leveraging local expertise, regional offshore wind experience and close coordination with installation contractors, ABL reviewed transport and installation methodologies, assessed operational risks and supported safe execution in the challenging Gulf of Biscay environment.
ABL’s scope included:
- MWS assurance for the four-pin-pile OSS, including an approximately 2,000-tonne jacket and 2,500-tonne topside, lifted and installed by the heavy-lift vessel Pioneering Spirit.
- Review and attendance for monopiles weighing approximately 500 to 1,000 tonnes and 7.0 m in diameter, fabricated in Dajin, China, and transported to La Rochelle aboard Blue Marlin and Black Marlin.
- Assurance for transition pieces weighing approximately 500 tonnes and foundation installation by the heavy-lift jack-up vessel Innovation, using MODIGA and Herrenknecht drilling equipment.
- MWS support for Prysmian inter-array cables installed by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs using a converted DP2 platform supply vessel, with cast-iron shell protection laid directly on the seabed.
- Assurance for the loadout, transportation and installation of 61 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines by the heavy-lift jack-up vessel Vole au Vent from Saint-Nazaire.
End Result
ABL delivered a consistent Marine Warranty framework across all major transport and installation activities for the 488 MW Yeu-Noirmoutier Offshore Windfarm. Combining local knowledge with offshore wind expertise, ABL helped the client manage complex interfaces, challenging seabed conditions and weather-sensitive operations throughout the project lifecycle.
Our Value
One trusted MWS partner across the entire offshore wind farm, providing continuity of assurance, efficient stakeholder coordination and effective management of transport and installation risks.
The team’s familiarity with the location, weather limits, installation contractors and regional supply chain helped the client manage complex interfaces and weather-sensitive offshore operations across the 488 MW development.
Integrated Offering: MWS services delivered across the OSS, foundation, inter-array cable and WTG packages for a 488 MW offshore wind farm.
In-Country Expertise: Local French expertise and a responsive pool of surveyors supported activities across multiple mobilisation locations.
Experience that Matters: Regional experience helped address challenging weather, rocky seabed conditions and weather-restricted
jack-up operations.
Related services and sectors
Marine Warranty Survey
