EDF Renewables has issued a contract notice for offshore wind transport and installation (T&I) services. The France-based energy company intends to award a long-term agreement to a provider having the capability to install foundations and 15+ MW wind turbines, with work starting in 2029 or 2030.
The procurement, which opened on 12 August, seeks offshore heavy-lift capacities to transport and install wind turbines and perform additional offshore wind-related work. According to the notice, the offshore wind developer will award a five-year framework agreement with a potential start date between 2029 and 2030. The agreement includes optional engineering, management, and asset operation scope.
In the requirements, EDF lists, among other things, heavy-lift vessel capacity capable of installing wind turbines of 15 MW and more, with applicants required to present their fleets. This includes existing fleet, fleet in construction, under discussion, and vessels subject to a decision of investment expected to arrive on the market before 2032, as well as plans for crane upgrade/leg extension or any major modification that could allow increasing the capacity of installation capabilities.
Interested T&I service providers are also required to prove their experience in wind turbine installation by detailing both past and future work over the 2020-2028 period and involving a jack-up vessel with a crane with a lifting capacity greater than 1,600 tonnes. Other details such as contract key milestones dates, scope of work and split of responsibilities, and description of engineering expertise are also to be provided.
In the contract notice, EDF Renewables also list a requirement “for the specific case of US” that involves a brief description of the base case approach to comply with the Jones Act when performing a full wind turbine installation, risk approach philosophy with regards to feedering, transport transfer and installation phases. Here, the developer also requires a view on the split of role and responsibilities and details of the marine spread that could be proposed.
Similar requirements are set for foundation and transition piece installation, including the past and upcoming experience, vessel details, as well as past performance per type of foundation.
According to the tender information, these criteria, as well as other tender requirements, including those regarding economic and financial standing and suitability to pursue the professional activity, will be used to select the candidates who will be invited for the second stage of the procedure.
