Monday 9 January 2017

Offshore wind farm secures helicopter support

DONG Energy has awarded a multi-million pound helicopter support contract for its new offshore wind farm.

Babcock Mission Critical Services (MCS) will operate two hoist-equipped helicopters to ferry workers and equipment to and from the Walney Extension wind farm so that essential repair and maintenance work can be completed.

The extension to the Walney Wind Farm is expected to make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world when it goes into operation in 2018.

DONG Energy has submitted a planning application for the development of an aircraft hanger at Walney Airfield and expects to hear back in the near future.

Tim Shattock, Managing Director of Babcock, said: "We have decades of experience in providing safe and reliable helicopter operations including for offshore wind farms and we are delighted to be selected to provide critical support to such a large and prestigious project.

"Helicopters are the most effective and efficient way of ensuring the right people and equipment are in the right place to keep the wind farm operating."