China Welcomes Its Most Advanced 4th Generation Wind Power Installation Vessel

China has unveiled the Tiejian Wind Power 2000, a new, advanced vessel designed to install large offshore wind turbines.

The vessel delivered on December 28, is described as the most advanced fourth-generation self-elevating wind power installation vessel in China.

Built by CIMC Raffles, the Tiejian Wind Power 2000 will operate from Tiejian, in northern China. This new vessel is designed to help China install the biggest wind turbines, including ones with a capacity of over 20 MW.

It is considered the largest investment in offshore wind power equipment in the country’s history.

The vessel measures 445 feet (136 meters) long and 174 feet (53 meters) wide. It has a large deck of more than 5,000 square feet, perfect for assembling and installing massive wind turbines.

One of its standout features is the 2,000-ton pile-circling full-slewing crane, strategically placed at the stern of the vessel. This crane can reach over 540 feet, making it capable of lifting and installing some of the largest turbines being developed.

The Tiejian Wind Power 2000 is built to tackle the most challenging offshore conditions. It can operate at ocean depths of up to 260 feet (80 meters), which is an essential feature as new wind turbines are being placed further out to sea in deeper waters.

The vessel is powered by three fully rotating stern thrusters and three side thrusters. This allows it to move smoothly and stay in position, even in rough sea conditions.

It can travel at speeds of up to 8 knots and is fully self-propelled. It also uses advanced dynamic positioning (DP-2) technology, which ensures the vessel stays in the exact location needed for installation.

The vessel’s powerful lifting capacity, large working area, and ability to operate in deep waters make it a key asset for China’s offshore wind farm projects.

According to project manager Li Zheyin, the Tiejian Wind Power 2000 can reach any work site worldwide, giving it great flexibility and efficiency for offshore wind installations.

Installing large turbines has been a challenge due to the lack of suitable installation vessels, but the Tiejian Wind Power 2000 is designed to fill this gap.

References: Xinhua, China Daily

Source: Maritime Shipping News