Specialist lifting equipment manufacturer Modulift has supplied spreader beams and other lifting accessories for use in building the Princess Elisabeth energy island.
The 3.5 GW Princess Elisabeth offshore wind zone is situated 30 miles (45 km) off the coast of Belgium. TM Edison, a joint venture between Jan De Nul and DEME Group NV, is responsible for the construction and installation of what has been described as a first of its kind energy project.
Assembling the infrastructure of the energy island requires lifting and manoeuvring of large structural elements. The outer perimeter of the island will be made up of a series of concrete structures known as caissons, which are being built ashore. 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 tonnes and 10 m in length. We are using a one-over-one 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 energy island will act as a central hub for all electricity produced by wind farms in the zone.
