Keppel Verolme BV (Keppel Verolme) and consortium partner AREVA Energietechnik GmbH, a German unit of French energy company AREVA, have secured a EUR 62 million ($117.6 million) contract from Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy GmbH (Wetfeet Offshore) to build a Mobile Offshore Application Barge (MOAB) for a new offshore wind farm in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea.

This self-erecting floating platform will be deployed at the Global Tech I Wind Farm that is being built and operated by Wetfeet Offshore. Utilising the patent-pending solution of AREVA Offshore Platform, the MOAB will host the transformers and high voltage switchgears to collect and convert electricity generated by the wind turbines for delivery to Germany’s national power grid. It is also equipped with critical control systems to serve as a backup power supply for the wind farm in case of emergencies. This innovative and customised solution combines the well-proven and state-of-the-art technologies from the oil & gas and electro-technical businesses.

The Global Tech I wind farm will be located about 110km northwest of Cuxhaven (Germany) in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea consisting of 80 5-Megawatt (MW) class wind turbines. When fully operational in 2013, this wind farm will be capable to generate some 1.4 billion kilowatthours (kWh) of electrical energy annually, supplying one million people with clean energy. It is also expected to help cut some 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

MOAB will provide permanent accommodation for up to 32 personnel operating the wind farm. By serving both energy transmission and wind farm maintenance functions, MOAB helps to enhance the operational reliability and efficiency of Global Tech I, contributing overall to a greener environment.