New Service for Offshore Wind Projects by UK Environmental Engineers

A new service by UK environmental engineers Metoc plc identifies risks to marine cable installation and commissioning during worldwide offshore wind projects. Metoc is now organising ‘risk workshops’ for project managers, engineers, contractors and others engaged in offshore renewables projects: www.metoc.co.uk

(PRWEB) December 21, 2005 -- A new service by UK environmental engineers Metoc plc identifies specific risks to marine cable installation and commissioning during offshore wind projects. Site conditions, seasonality of operations and supply chain availability can all impact on the project, causing unexpected delays and costs - particularly in relation to third-party contract tenders and loss of cable protection arising from poor installation. Further information is available from www.metoc.co.uk.

Early assessment of risk during the project is essential, Metoc advises, to ensure that route engineering and consent applications are undertaken within an integrated programme of activity. This requires a detailed understanding of the dynamics and impact of marine and coastal conditions on the proposed cables – and also how they in turn will affect the local environment.

“Off-shore renewable projects are usually located in areas with conditions that are challenging for the engineered assets, to say the least, in addition to having to deal usually with a variegated geology when burying cables. Also, there are often particular environmental sensitivities – such as in relation to tourism and fisheries. These issues should be understood and evaluated at the earliest stage to avoid unpleasant surprises later on,” says Alistair Bird, director of energy at Metoc plc.

Metoc, based in Hampshire and Dundee, is now organising ‘risk workshops’ for project managers, engineers, contractors and others engaged in offshore renewables projects. Each event employs an audit protocol to review specific risks at each of the key project phases:-

·    Consenting

·    Progressing from consents to major contracts

·    Major contract execution

·    Operations and maintenance

Note to Editor:-

Metoc provides support to the water, energy, marine cable and renewables industry sectors on environmental and related regulatory issues. Services include: research, planning, risk management, contract negotiations, data gathering and site supervision, as well as predictive modelling, and environmental optimisation.

Clients of Metoc include asset owners and operators, their engineering consultants and contractors. The company defines and advises on the specific options and opportunities for senior management and engineers to enable project teams to protect assets and optimise their productive use and performance within the environmental context, whilst achieving full legislative compliance and minimising related risks and costs.

For further information:    

Natalie Johnson

Metoc plc, Exchange House, Station Road

Liphook, GU30 7DW Tel: + 44 (0)1428 727800

http://www.metoc.co.uk

Media information:        

Patrick Rea, Rea-TMA Marketing

Tel: +44 (0)20 8870 4976

www.rea-tma.co.uk

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