Deltares

Deltares provided specialist foundation engineering support to HSM Offshore for the Borssele Alpha & Beta offshore high-voltage substation (OHVS) platforms that form TenneT’s offshore grid connection for the Borssele wind farm zone, including the Borssele 1 & 2 wind farm connection via Borssele Alpha. The work focused on updating and detailing the scour protection design around the OHVS platform foundations, building on earlier model tests and conceptual development undertaken in 2016. Deltares used its experience and the previously commissioned test results to optimise the scour protection layout and to address secondary effects such as edge scour and the influence of installation vessels’ spud-can footings. This support reduced the need for additional model testing by the EPC contractor and helped mitigate installation and operational risks at the foundation interface. The scope was delivered as an engineering service contribution to the platform construction programme, with the Borssele Alpha foundation installation planned for the second half of 2018 and completion of the OHVS platform in 2019. The engagement supported safe, cost-effective delivery of the offshore platform foundation protection measures required for long-term structural integrity in the North Sea environment.