Modulift at world’s first offshore energy island

Specialist lifting equipment manufacturer, Modulift is facilitating the construction of a complex offshore energy project in the North Sea. Deemed to be the world’s first artificial energy island, “Princess Elisabeth” marks a significant milestone in renewable energy infrastructure development.

Situated 30 miles off the coast of Belgium, in the 3.5-GW Princess Elisabeth offshore wind zone, the island will act as an international energy hub to centralise all electricity produced by wind farms in the zone.

TM Edison, a joint venture between marine companies Jan De Nul and DEME Group NV (EBR:DEME), are responsible for the construction and installation of the world-first energy island, which will contribute to the EU’s goal of 300GW offshore wind capacity by 2050.

Assembling the infrastructure of the energy island requires lifting and manoeuvring of large structural elements and equipment. The outer perimeter of the island will be made up of a series of concrete structures known as caissons. These are built onshore before being transported to their offshore location. Construction of the Princess Elisabeth Island is expected to last until the end of 2026.

Ruben Verschueren, Site Superintendent Civil Works at TM Edison said “Modulift’s spreader beams have been integral to the construction of the concrete sections, with one formwork section weighing around 17 tons and 10m in length. We are using a 1-over-1 configuration, utilising a MOD 34 spreader beam at the top and a MOD 24 on the bottom. Modulift spreader beams have been instrumental in safely hoisting the formwork into position.”

The deployment of Modulift spreader beams in the construction of the island shines a light on lifting equipment in such complex offshore projects. Sarah Spivey, Managing Director said “Modulift is known for its iconic yellow spreader beams across the renewable and offshore energy sectors, and has set the precedent for safety, efficiency, and fast delivery in the global lifting industry. MOD spreader beams are DNV Type Approved up to 2000t and interchangeable by design, offering a reusable solution for lengthy projects. We are very proud to be part of this groundbreaking project.”