Blyth GBF Offshore Wind Foundations, North East England

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstrator project is a significant development in the renewable energy sector, focusing on the installation of gravity-based foundations (GBFs) for wind turbines. Located off the northeast coast of England, the project is designed to test a new foundation solution for offshore wind farms. It involves the installation of five GBFs, each providing a stable base for offshore wind turbines. This pioneering work supports the transition towards more sustainable energy solutions, showcasing innovative technology in offshore wind farm construction. 

Project details and key parties 

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstrator project is a collaborative effort between a number of industry leaders. BAM, Van Oord, Strukton, Smulders, and SIF are part of the construction team, contributing expertise across a range of areas including marine engineering, foundation installation, and turbine support. Deltares and Marin provided testing and analysis, while EDF serves as the client for this project. The construction work involved the design and installation of five gravity-based foundations, each with a unique structure to ensure stability in the harsh offshore environment. This includes the installation of the first-ever gravity-based foundation designed for a commercial wind farm in UK waters. The project also required floating stability and dynamic response assessments to ensure safe installation and long-term performance in the extreme marine conditions of the North Sea. 

DMC's role and scope of work 

DMC played a key role in the Blyth GBF project by providing the full structural and geotechnical design for the five gravity-based foundations. This included floating stability assessments and dynamic response evaluations, crucial to ensure the foundations’ integrity in the dynamic offshore environment. One of the standout contributions of DMC was the development of a parametric model that enabled a highly efficient design process. This model not only optimized the design timeline but also helped clearly define risks and opportunities, enabling precise control over the project's progress. Additionally, DMC secured DNV certification for this new type of offshore wind foundation, an important step in ensuring its compliance with international standards and ensuring the success of the installation. Through close collaboration with partners and comprehensive engineering expertise, DMC contributed to the safe installation of the foundations, meeting stringent tolerances and ensuring long-term sustainability of the wind farm. 

Location 
Blyth, North East England, UK 

Structure 
Offshore wind turbine foundations 

Owner/Operator 
EDF 

Our Client 
BAM Infra, BAM Nuttall 

Completion Design 
2016 

Challenge 
Designing stable, robust foundations for the harsh offshore environment 

Solution 
Full structural and geotechnical design. Integrated Load Analysis with a parametric model, floating stability assessments, dynamic response evaluations, and DNV certification