All 54 monopile foundations have been successfully installed at the Inch Cape offshore wind farm in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The project is owned by ESB and Red Rock Renewables through a 50/50 joint venture. Installation work was carried out by Jan De Nul using the heavy-lift vessel Les Alizés.
The monopiles have diameters of up to 11.5 metres, lengths of up to 102 metres and weigh around 2,300 tonnes each. Installation was supported by IQIP's Hydrohammer IQ6, which featured the company's hammer interface socket to provide a connection with the CLT1700 (Combi Lifting Tool). The project also marked the first deployment of IQIP's FPUT3500 (Flanged Pile Upending Tool). The tool engages with the monopile's L-shaped flange geometry and locks into the top of the monopile by remote control. The crane then lifts the pile into a vertical position, after which the tool disengages remotely and returns to the vessel deck. The FPUT3500 has a lifting capacity of up to 3,500 tonnes.
