Van Oord starts blade repair campaign in Dutch offshore wind farm

Offshore installation vessel MPI Resolution recently started its work for the Prinses Amaliawindpark in the Netherlands. MPI Offshore, a subsidiary of Van Oord, has been contracted to repair and upgrade all of the blades for 29 of the 60 turbines in the offshore wind farm.

The MPI Resolution offers the possibility to repair and upgrade damaged blades on board the vessel whilst remaining within the wind farm. To be able to do this work in any weather condition, mobile repair habitats have been installed on the deck of the vessel.

The MPI Resolution will sail to the site location with three repaired and/or new blades at a time. The damaged blades will be replaced by another blade and brought back on board. There, the blade will be repaired and upgraded. The repair consists of applying ‘shells’ that are glued to the blades. When finished it will be installed at the next location. The expectation is that with this repair the blades can last until the end of the expected life of the park.

After the blade repair and upgrade campaign, the MPI Resolution will continue its work for the five-year maintenance contract for the major components exchange at the Prinses Amaliawindpark.