Murphy scoops Norfolk wind zone onshore SI and design optimisation contract

Vattenfall has awarded J Murphy & Sons a £2.5M contract to deliver early works for installing the onshore cable of the Norfolk Zone offshore wind farms.

The planned wind farm zone off the coast of Norfolk could power more than 4M UK homes. It includes the Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas wind farms.

J Murphy & Sons scope of works as part of the early works contract will cover site investigations and design optimisation activities, including topology surveys, boreholes and small trial pits along the cable route, to further understand the ground conditions.

The design optimisation will provide greater certainty in construction requirements to allow a more efficient delivery of the project, with a focus on sustainable design through the use of innovation and minimising materials and programme, Vattenfall said.

To support the works, Murphy will engage local contractors and businesses. It will also connect with local colleges to offer young people a chance to be part of delivering one of the largest offshore wind zones in the world.

J Murphy & Son operations director Andy Ingram said: “The award of the early contractor involvement contract marks the next step of our journey with Vattenfall, the local supply chain and wider community in delivering this essential piece of green energy infrastructure.”

The specialist engineering and construction company is also the preferred bidder for the future construction works under the project contract.

Vattenfall’s Norfolk Zone project director Rob Anderson commented: “We’re taking the project into the next phase, so we’re delighted to have J Murphy & Sons on board, helping us to deliver the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. Their expertise will be invaluable, as will their focus on boosting the local economy by supporting jobs and growth in the region.”

In July, Vattenfall was awarded a contracts for difference (CfD) for Norfolk Boreas, the first phase of the offshore wind zone. The UK Government’s CfD scheme is a policy mechanism for supporting low carbon electricity generation, providing successful bidders with a contract for a 15 year fixed revenue stream.

Fugro recently mobilised multiple geophysical and geotechnical vessels from local ports to complete full coverage marine site investigations across the Norfolk Boreas site.

Subject to a final investment decision, construction on the Norfolk Boreas wind farm will begin next year.

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