DemoSATH floating wind project successfully completes the offshore mooring installation

DemoSATH floating wind project successfully completes the offshore mooring installation

•The project led by Saitec Offshore Technologies, in collaboration with RWE, has achieved a key milestone by completing the pre-lay of the mooring system for the project

•Maersk Supply Service has undertaken the installation of the six mooring lines and six anchors of DemoSATH at the BIMEP test site from the anchor-handling vessel Maersk Mariner.

Maersk Mariner vessel at Punta Sollana quay in the port of Bilbao
Bilbao, 17 May 2022. DemoSATH mooring, anchoring and quick connect solution is set for the 2MW turbine that will be tested later this year and which will be the first floating turbine connected to the Spanish grid.
In early May, Maersk Supply Service completed the installation of six mooring lines (comprised by hybrid lines of chain and fibre rope) and six drag anchors with Maersk Mariner. The mobilisation and loading of the mooring lines elements and preparation of the vessel was done at Punta Sollana quay, in the port of Bilbao (Spain), where the onshore construction of the floater is currently underway.
Once loaded, the vessel left the Port towards the installation site at BiMEP test area where the elements’ connection and laying took place. The lines will be recovered from the seabed for a plug and play connection to the unit later this year.
“The installation of the SATH mooring lines worked perfectly. In the future, we will use them in all our commercial projects that are currently in the planning stage. The operations have been a great success since the earliest stage of design and the execution has been outstanding”, commented Araceli Martínez, Chief of Engineering at Saitec Offshore Technologies.
“It is great to see that the DemoSATH project has completed the next step of the offshore works, with the mooring system now in place – an important milestone on our way to the installation and commissioning of the floating turbine later this year. We as RWE see great potential for floating wind farms worldwide – especially to unlock opportunities in countries with deeper coastal waters. With DemoSATH we are gaining experience with an innovative concrete-based platform technology and are broadening our expertise in this growth market further,” said Chris Willow. Head of Floating Wind Development at RWE Renewables.
“With the completion of the installation of the mooring system, the DemoSATH project is ready for the installation of the foundation later this year. We have had good collaboration throughout the process – both in the planning and the execution phase. Engagement of the key stakeholders from developer to the fabricator of the floater have been instrumental for the successful completion. With this project, we hope to contribute to the development and maturation of the floating wind industry,” said Yvan Leyni, Director for Floating Wind at Maersk Supply Service.
Meanwhile, the onshore construction of the prestressed concrete floating platform continues at the Port of Bilbao. Works on the transition piece, single point mooring and boat landing are also carried out as well as installation works inside the floaters. This will be followed by the launching operation to put afloat the platform that will be then transported to its final deployment site at BIMEP.
The DemoSATH means a stepping stone in SATH Technology commercialization roadmap. The 2MW unit will be tested against real sea operating conditions in a harsh Atlantic environment. The test field at BiMEP facilities are located 2 miles off the Biscay coast where the sea is 85 meters deep. DemoSATH will generate sufficient electricity to cover the energy demand of more than 2,000 local households.
This project aims to collect data and gain real-life knowledge from the construction procedure, operation, and maintenance of DemoSATH floating wind platform for a period of 2 years.

Please direct enquiries to:
Coral Jaén
Head of communications and marketing at Saitec Offshore Technologies
T. (+34) 94 464 65 11 M. (+34) 627 79 17 67
coraljaen@saitec.es
Sinje Vogelsang
Press Office RWE Renewables
T. +49 (0) 201 5179 5941 M. +49 (0)1525 790 57 04
sinje.vogelsang@rwe.com
Charlotte Holst Frahm
Head of Communications at Maersk Supply Service
T: +45 21476259
Charlotte.holst@maersksupply.com
About Saitec
Founded in 1988, Saitec is one of the most prestigious engineering firms in Spain. With a strong commitment to innovation, sustainable development and respect for the environment, Saitec Engineering offers a wide range of services throughout the entire engineering value chain (planning, design, construction and operation).
The field of activity comprises transport infrastructure projects (railways, roads), water engineering, architecture, town planning, environment, industry and energy services for both public and private companies, as well as joint ventures.
Saitec Engineering also provides consultancy services in highly specialised fields such as tunnels and underground works, geology and geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, innovation, construction and computer engineering.
Seeking international growth by going global, in 2008, the company decided to expand the business aiming to share its experience and know-how in fastest-growing markets.
About Saitec Offshore Technologies
Saitec Offshore Technologies is a spin-off from Saitec. Founded in 2016, created to globalize offshore wind by developing SATH technology, a competitive and cost-efficient concrete floating solution that removes the barriers related to water depth, reduces both CAPEX and OPEX and enhances local content. The outfit also offers associated engineering services related to this field.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With an extensive investment and growth strategy, the company will expand its powerful, green generation capacity to 50 gigawatts internationally by 2030. RWE is investing €50 billion gross for this purpose in this decade. The portfolio is based on offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydrogen, batteries, biomass and gas. RWE Supply & Trading provides tailored energy solutions for large customers. RWE has locations in the attractive markets of Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The company is responsibly phasing out nuclear energy and coal. Government-mandated phaseout roadmaps have been defined for both of these energy sources. RWE employs around 19,000 people worldwide and has a clear target: to get to net zero by 2040. On its way there, the company has set itself ambitious targets for all activities that cause greenhouse gas emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that these emission reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement. Very much in the spirit of the company’s purpose: Our energy for a sustainable life.
Maersk Supply Service:
Maersk Supply Service is a leading provider of marine services and project solutions for offshore energy sectors. With a large fleet of anchor handling and subsea support vessels, the company specialises in towing, mooring and installing floating units.
Maersk Supply Service is committed to decarbonising its fleet and focuses on energy efficiency and ocean health. The company is expanding into renewable industries such as floating wind and ocean cleaning. Maersk Supply Service is a subsidiary of A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, and employs around 1100 offshore and 220 onshore staff.
For more information, visit www.maersksupplyservice.com.