Intertek Energy & Water consultancy services (formerly Metoc) says it is providing marine advisory services for offshore surveys and export cable installation to Reseau de Transporte d'Electricite (RTE), the French electricity transmission services operator and an independent subsidiary of EDF, for two French offshore wind projects.
France is entering the installation phase of the government's first solicitation for offshore wind projects. Intertek will provide advisory services for ongoing risk management, draft specifications for the procurement of geotechnical and geophysical works, support RTE for contract works, and provide procurement support for the cable installation and protection phase of the developments.
The agreement, which includes the 480 MW St. Nazaire and the 500 MW St. Brieuc offshore wind farms, will enable RTE to reduce project risk and prevent delays, Intertek says.
"French offshore project developers have the opportunity to learn important lessons from their counterparts based in the U.K. and Germany," explains James Hunt, head of offshore development and cables at Intertek. "As such, a core part of this process entails understanding the risks and complexities that are inherent in the offshore wind supply chain.’
"Following the French government's announcement of its second round of offshore wind tenders, there will be [a] strong focus placed on the progress from round one," he continues. "We will be working closely with RTE to ensure that its exposure to risks in the marine surveying supply chain is reduced, which will also help safeguard the reputation of the embryonic French offshore wind industry."
