Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) has deployed its newest jackup wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) to serve its first project.
The recently delivered Dianjian Zhiyuan (“Power Construction Zhiyuan”) boasts a variable load capacity of 5,000 tonnes, enabling efficient deep-sea operations and the installation of wind turbines of 16 MW capacity or larger.
Built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, the WTIV features fully integrated digital and intelligent systems, a local area network, ship-to-shore communication, satellite TV and 4G signal amplification, as well as a unified gantry system, real-time vessel-shore data synchronisation, a fuel monitoring system, a dynamic vessel tracking system, and an equipment status assessment system.
The crane vessel was built as a fully electric platform that meets IMO Tier III NOx emissions standards and can be used in waters up to 70 metres deep. Its 1,600-tonne main slewing crane is equipped with a custom-built 150-metre boom that allows for a hook height of 160 metres above the deck and a total lifting range of 190 metres.
PowerChina said that the vessel can install an offshore wind turbine within two to three days, which is around 30 per cent faster than what was possible with earlier generations of crane vessels.
The vessel was also built to be capable of withstanding wave heights of up to 12 metres, ensuring safe operation under a broad range of weather conditions.