As I mentioned recently, with seawater in my blood, I just love everything about big ships. That is why I watch TV programmes about Significant Ships. They are usually the biggest, the first or unique in some other way.
I recently downloaded from the YESTERDAY TV channel a series of programmes titled MONSTER SHIPS. Information can be found here.
I was pleasantly surprised that the first programme I watched, about Pacific Orca, the worlds largest Jack-up Wind Turbine Installation Vessel had SOLASAFE roller sunscreens installed at the navigation bridge windows.
At the time the programme was made in 2019, Orca was installing wind turbines in the Beatrice Wind Farm, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm that was later officially opened by Prince Charles.
The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm, located about eight miles (13km) off the coast of Wick in the far north, can generate enough energy to power 450,000 homes.
The £2.65bn project, which involves 84 huge turbines, came fully online in May 2019 and achieved 588MW of electricity.
It is Scotland’s single largest source of renewable energy.
The development, construction and operation were led by SSE Renewables in a joint venture with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Red Rock Power Limited.
Construction started in May 2016 and SSE said it was completed on time and £100m under budget.
I will repeat that amazing fact: and £100m under budget. You rarely read that sort of statement anywhere these days!!
The electricity generated by Beatrice travels along subsea and underground cables before coming ashore near Keith in Moray and connecting to the Blackhillock substation.
When I checked Solar Solve’s records I discovered that we sent a consignment of 40 SOLASAFE screens to Solar Solve’s World Wide Distributor in South Korea, in December 2014, for installation at the windows of Pacific Orca, which is where the vessel was constructed. From what I could see, all of the screens that were visible with SOLASAFE badges, appeared to still be working fine, 5 years later. With a 7-year guarantee, that is exactly what we would expect of course.
You can view a video showing the Mobilization of Pacific Orca in April 2017, here…
With the link below you can view a video of Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm blade installation by Pacific Orca (April 2018)…
If you are interested in Solar Solve’s products you can read more information about our Type Approved sunscreens, anti-glare blinds or marine screens by typing what you are looking for into this website’s search box.
John Lightfoot MBE, Solar Solve Chairman
