Sparrows Group Doubles Down on Renewables Success


Upswing in breakbulk activity from renewables market.

Engineered products and services firm Sparrows Group has reported a doubling in business at its Cable and Pipe Lay Solutions division in 2018, thanks to an upswing in breakbulk activity from the renewables market last year.
                           
The Scottish firm completed breakbulk transport for a number of a major offshore projects over the course of the 12-month period including contracts awarded through VBMS, DEME Offshore, and DeepOcean.
 
“We have experienced an upsurge in business from the renewable sector in the last 12 months and the combination of the three contracts won for Hornsea One, makes this our most significant cable lay project to date. One of the contracts marks the first time we have conducted nearshore cable transfer operations and this is a testament to our highly trained engineering teams who worked to develop the most effective solution for our client,” said Ewen Kerr, chief technical officer at Sparrows Group.


Hornsea One Provides Breakbulk Boost

The major Hornsea One project in the North Sea off the coast of England, generated its first power output last month and has been responsible for a spike in breakbulk activity in the region. The wold’s largest offshore wind power installation, with planned total capacity of up to 6 gigawatts, the wind farm is operated by Danish energy firm Ørsted.
 
“It’s amazing to think that just over a year ago we began offshore construction on Hornsea 1, and now, 120 kilometers off the coast, it has already started to generate clean electricity. I’d like to thank the thousands of people responsible for delivering this milestone safely and completely as planned,” said Duncan Clark, project director for Hornsea One and Two.


ALE Marks Load-out Milestone
 
One of the winners form this giant project was project cargo specialist ALE which concluded the discharge of the 106th transition piece last month.

“This has been a long-term project and ALE provided the full, specialist marine scope of work for these operations, which, combined with the strength of the ALE – Conbit collaboration, has demonstrated the breadth of ALE’s expertise,” said Steve Small, ALE’s commercial manager – marine.
 
The project was the inaugural job for ALE’s innovative Sarah S barge, which is 3 meters narrower than most North Sea barges, allowing it to fit between the quayside and the offshore installation vessel.
 
Photo: ALE load transition piece. Credit: ALE
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