Framo systems support sustainable wind farm construction
Setting a suction-bucket jacket foundation at Ørsted’s Greater Changhua wind farm (Source: Ørsted)
Framo, an Alfa Laval company based in Norway, has supplied and operated suction pump spread systems for Ørsted’s Greater Changhua 2b and 4 offshore wind farms in Taiwan, one of Asia’s largest offshore wind developments. Critical for securing jacket foundations to the seabed, the systems provide a fast, precise installation process, eliminating the need for conventional pile-driving.
The jacket foundations were installed with Heerema’s heavy-lift vessel, Aegir, which placed each structure on the seabed before Framo’s suction pumps secured them in place. The Framo team worked closely with geotechnical specialists from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) which supported the installation process.
Thor Alexander Larsen, Framo project manager, commented: “The successful installation of all 66 jackets demonstrates both the reliability of our suction technology and the strength of our collaboration with Ørsted and NGI. It’s a strong example of how innovative engineering can accelerate the global transition to renewable energy”.
Sited between 30 and 60 kilometres off the coast of Changhua County, the 920-MW wind farm will supply clean energy to approximately one million Taiwanese households.
