Heavy-Lift Vessel Thialf Initiates Foundation Installation for Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 Offshore Wind Projects
The Thialf, a heavy-lift installation vessel operated by Heerema Marine Contractors, has commenced the installation of offshore wind foundations for the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea. This marks the initiation of the offshore construction phase, overseen by Equinor and Polenergia.
The installation campaign has successfully placed the first twelve monopiles and transition pieces, with a total of about 100 foundation sets planned across both projects.
Thialf is among the largest heavy-lift vessels globally, with dimensions exceeding 200 meters in length and 88 meters in width. It operates by lifting monopiles from transport vessels positioned alongside and positioning them at the designated offshore sites.
Each monopile, measuring between 50 and 70 meters, is lifted from a horizontal configuration and deployed into the seabed using a motion-compensated gripper frame to ensure accurate and stable placement in maritime conditions. To mitigate underwater noise during installation, a bubble curtain is utilized around the foundation sites.
After the monopiles are secured, transition pieces, approximately 17 meters in height, are installed on top of them. Together, these structures will serve as the foundations for the offshore wind turbines, which are slated for installation in 2027.
Coordinated Offshore Operations
The installation efforts are part of a comprehensive offshore operation involving over a dozen vessels engaged in transportation, logistics, installation, and marine services. The campaign necessitates precise coordination of weather conditions, vessel movements, and sequencing of offshore activities.
Support for operations comes from various ports in Poland and throughout Europe, along with the operations and maintenance base in Łeba, which acts as a critical coordination hub for these offshore initiatives.
Upon completion, the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects will have a combined capacity of 1,440 MW, sufficient to power approximately two million homes, thereby enhancing Poland’s energy independence. Initial power delivery is projected for 2027, with full operational capability expected in 2028. Source: Baltyk123.pl