Wind Energy
Bringing value, experience and insight to wind energy projects
A world-leading, design, engineering and technology consulting services provider
About Ayesa
A Global Leader in Technology and Engineering Services with a Focus on Sustainable Impacts
Since 1966, Ayesa has been a leader in engineering, delivering iconic, large-scale projects driven by people-centric values, lasting impact, and enduring partnerships. As a global leader in technology and engineering services, Ayesa integrates expertise across more than 70 disciplines and maintains a permanent presence in over 23 countries, offering both local insights and global solutions.
Rankings
#45 International Engineering Design Firms (World) 1
#8 Top 10 By Region (Latin America) 1
#11 Top 50 Geotechnical Consultants (UK) 2
#17 Top 20 Global Water Supply 3
#26 Top 30 Transportation 3
#1 IT Consulting Firms (Spain) 4 Forbes 100 best employers to work for in Spain 40+
#74 WA100, World Architects Survey BD Online 2024
The company is ranked among the top 50 international engineering design firms, 26th in global transportation, 17th in water supply, and among Spain’s top five IT service providers.
With over 16,000 MW delivered across 141 wind energy projects worldwide, Ayesa’s expertise covers the entire project lifecycle. As a trusted partner to leading energy clients, including Iberdrola, Scottish Renewables, EDP Renovables, Repsol E&G, and Shell, Ayesa provides comprehensive support services to ensure successful project execution and long-term sustainability in the energy sector.
In the UK and Ireland, Ayesa’s 250+ engineering professionals deliver vital engineering consulting for private and public bodies, including Dublin Port, ESBI, Bord na Móna, Coillte, Uisce Éireann, OPW, ScottishPower Renewables, and Energia. Ayesa is renowned for its award-winning solutions, agility, and technical expertise. As a member of Wind Energy Ireland, Ayesa is dedicated to supporting the wind energy sector and realising its full potential.
MEMBER
1 ENR Rating: Top 225 International Engineering Design Firms 2024 (according to revenue)
2 Geplus.co.uk Ground Engineering Magazine’s top 50 UK Geotechnical Consultants (according to UK revenue)
3 ENR Global Sourcebook 2023
4 Eraneos & Whitelane report 2023
Ranked #1 by 285 clients in Spain according to Eraneos & Whitelane report 2024 Top 25 IT providers.
Our Multidisciplinary Expertise
Geoscience
// Urban Geotechnics
// Infrastructure Geotechnics
// Engineering Geology
// Underground Space
// Site Investigation
// Land Quality & Regeneration
// Surface Water & Groundwater
Risk Assessments
Marine & Coastal
// Ports & Harbours
// Coastal Engineering
// Coastal Modelling
// Marine Structures
// Marinas & Waterfronts
// Environmental Assessments & Planning
// Subsea Pipeslines
// Offshores Renewables
Flooding
// Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) & Management Plans
// Flood Risk Schemes (Frs)
// Catchment Area Planning & Hazard Mapping
// Flood Resilience Planning
// Hydraulics, Hydrology & Hydromorphology
Energy
// Solar Energy
// Onshore and Offshore Wind Power
// Biomass
// Hydroelectric Power
// Hydrogen and Renewables Gases
// Energy Storage
// Thermal Generation
// HV Transmission and Distribution
Oil and Gas
Environment
// Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
// Pipelines
// Production Facilities
// Refining Facilities
// Storage and Terminals
// Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment - Planning & Permitting
// Ecology & Biodiversity
// Environmental Modelling (Coastal, AQ, and Noise)
// Monitoring and Compliance
// Appraisal, Risk Assessment, and Due Diligence
// Sustainability
// Waste Management and Permitting
Water
// Dams, Reservoirs and Major Water
Infrastructure
// Water Treatment and Desalination
// Water Conveyance and Distribution
// Water Resource Management
// Drainage, Groundwater and Irrigation
// Flooding and Rivers
Buildings and Cities
// Office and Commercial
// Sports and Leisure
// Urban Planning and Landscaping
// Healthcare and Research
// Education
// Arts and Culture
// Heritage and Conservation
// Residential and Hotels
// Technology and Data Centres
Transportation
// Metros, LRT and Tramways
// HSL and Railways
// Stations and Terminals
// Transportation Systems
// Tunnels and Underground Spaces
// Airports
// Highways and Roads
// Bridges and Structures
// Land Management
Project Delivery
Lasting Positive Impacts
We provide top-tier design, project management, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver the best project solutions. Our engineering consultants are leaders in their fields, ensuring exceptional expertise. By continuously engaging in complex and demanding projects, we consistently maintain and elevate our high standards of technical excellence.
An End-to-End Partner
We focus on building strong relationships with our clients and providing outstanding care every day. Our goal is to help clients achieve their desired results by delivering real value and positive outcomes. With flexible global teams, we collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure project success, blending local expertise with international best practices.
People Centric
At Ayesa, we prioritise our employees’ development to create a positive, enriching, and safe work environment. We are dedicated to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. To keep our team at the forefront of the industry, we invest heavily in training and development. As a leading engineering consultancy, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that matter most to us. This includes reducing CO2 emissions, promoting water conservation, creating social value, enhancing health and well-being, engaging with communities, offering apprenticeships, and ensuring a safe working environment.
Local Relationships & Networks
Working with us
Bridging the Gap
We excel in project management and supervising construction phases across the full project lifecycle. We help clients “bridge the gap” across all relevant stakeholders, supported by our clear, holistic understanding of needs, constraints, opportunities, and objectives.
Getting a project off to the right start and mitigating any delays helps to keep costs down - Our team has forged close working relationships with environmental authorities and regulators throughout the regions we operate in, enabling us to expeditiously progress projects through the permitting, construction, verification and site closure.
Sustainability and innovation
We provide innovative solutions backed by a comprehensive understanding of critical environmental issues, including climate change, sustainability, wasteto-energy, and renewable resources. Our approach is designed to deliver maximum value to our clients while addressing these pressing challenges.
Safety First
We advance safety, applying rigorous processes that manage technical, environmental and social risks and hold ISO 45001:2018 – the internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
Proven Track Record & Trust
We have extensive experience across a broad range of sectors. We work with public and private clients, including Irish Water, Port of Cork, Scottish Renewables, ESB, Oil and Pipeline Agency, Waterways Ireland, Gas Networks Ireland, and others
Client Focus
Our culture focuses on building strong relationships with clients who continue to select us for the significant benefits we provide. We work with public and private sectors: from large companies and national regulatory bodies to smaller organisations. For us, our priority is always technical excellence, partnership and lasting impacts.
Technical Excellence
We help keep our clients informed on new regulations and engage with stakeholders to move projects forward profitably and in line with environmental goals. Our proactive approach helps clients benefit from our expertise in a constantly changing regulatory environment.
Multi-Disciplinary
We offer comprehensive engineering and design consultancy services across a diverse range of sectors, including marine and coastal, geoscience, buildings, transportation, energy, environmental management, water resources, flood management, waste management, and conservation.
Wind Energy
A multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy
Whether developing or extending a wind farm, Ayesa provides expert guidance throughout every phase. We assist clients from initial planning and wind feasibility studies to construction supervision. With extensive experience in infrastructure engineering, Ayesa guarantees reliable engineering solutions, complemented by efficient, innovative, and cost-effective designs.
Our comprehensive range of services allows us to take a holistic approach to projects, ensuring seamless collaboration and efficient service for our clients. Our adaptable offerings are tailored to meet the specific needs of your onshore or offshore wind projects, effectively mitigating risks from start to finish.
Onshore Wind
Ayesa provides planning and assessment services for onshore and offshore projects, customising solutions to meet each project’s specific requirements. For onshore projects, Ayesa evaluates key site-specific factors, such as wind conditions and geotechnical characteristics, to select the optimal turbine and foundation types. Ayesa can conduct comprehensive wind studies and geotechnical evaluations to ensure the selected infrastructure aligns precisely with each location’s ground conditions and site characteristics. This rigorous approach enables Ayesa to optimise project outcomes, providing stability and performance over the long term.
To streamline the consenting process, Ayesa can prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), ensuring smooth compliance with local authority standards.
• Engineering Design and Technical Advisory: Ayesa’s engineering team specialises in designing onshore wind farm structures, foundations, and layouts.
• Civil and Geotechnical Designs: Particularly essential for challenging environments like peat-rich sites, ensuring stability and sustainability.
• Substations and Grid Connections: Designing substations, control buildings, overhead and underground connections, with ground improvements to support structures.
• Access Infrastructure: Delivering access tracks, platforms, and roads for heavy vehicles and cranes during construction and maintenance. Our services include road alignment and swept path analysis.
• Structural Design: Developing foundations, road access, public road development, crane hardstands, culverts, and bridges, supported by geotechnical analysis to ensure safety and reliability.
• Operations and Maintenance
We help operators maintain and extend the life of their assets through Smart Asset Management programmes, including structural inspections and maintenance work programmes,
Offshore Wind
Ayesa supports clients of offshore wind projects, from navigating regulatory approvals to delivering specialised design and engineering services for port and harbour enhancements.
During the planning and feasibility phases, Ayesa offers a comprehensive range of marine engineering and environmental assessments, including numerical modelling, met-ocean data analysis, geophysical studies, and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
Our local experts provide dedicated guidance throughout the consenting process, helping clients manage complex regulatory landscapes, including those governed by the Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). We assist in securing essential Marine Area Consents and Marine Usage Licences, which are crucial for advancing offshore developments and site investigations.
Additionally, Ayesa also supports the infrastructure needs of offshore wind facilities, from assembly through to operations and maintenance. This includes deepening and widening harbours and port facilities to fully capitalise on wind energy opportunities. Our services encompass AA/NIS, EIA, and compliance management, ensuring clients meet all licensing and permitting requirements for successful project delivery.
Representative Services
Cable Routes & Utility Trenches, Category 3 Checking, Client & Contractor Support, Concept/Tender/ Design & Procurement, Construction Supervision & Project Management, Crane Hardstand Design and Foundations, Design & Build Support & Review, Drainage, Design & Civil Engineering Services, Design of Control Buildings, Substation Design, Design of Piled and Gravity Turbine Bases, Detailed Planning, Site Assessment & Feasibility, Engineering & Construction Supervision, Geology and geomorphology services, Geotechnical and Geophysical Services, Grid Connection Above and Below Ground, Ground Investigation & Risk Management, Horizontal/Vertical Alignment, Infrastructure Design and Delivery, Land Quality and Remediation, Site Investigation, Site Supervision, Technical Advisory, Tender and Procurement: Contractor Selection, Turbine Assessments, Value Engineering
OFFSHORE ONSHORE
Asset Management, Construction Support/Contract Administration, Developer & Contractor Support, Dredging & Reclamation, Feasibility Studies, Heavy Civil Construction Support, Marine consents, Masterplanning, Nearshore Port & Harbour Infrastructure, Numerical Modelling, O & M Facilities Design, Planning, Assessments & Site Investigations, Risk Management, Statutory Approvals and Stakeholder Engagement, Submarine Cable Routing and Stability, Surveys & Studies, Technical Advisor, Tender Documentation
schedule. excellence. stakeholders. bring value and insight and performance.
GROUSEMOUNT WIND FARM FARM
OVERVIEW
Grousemount Wind Farm was developed by Kerry Wind Power Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ESB. Situated in southeast Kerry, the wind farm is nestled between the villages of Kilgarvan and Coolea in County Cork. The project received approval from Irish planning authority, An Bord Pleanála in the summer of 2016 to construct 38 wind turbines, with construction commencing in 2018. The project included approximately 23 kilometers of access roads. Once completed, the wind farm will have a total generating capacity of 114 megawatts (MW), sufficient to provide electricity to around 70,000 households. Grousemount will be ESB’s largest onshore wind farm, capable of powering homes, farms, and businesses throughout Ireland with its significant capacity.
ROLE
Ayesa was contracted by ESBI to conduct geomorphology and geological surveys, as well as to evaluate the detailed geotechnical design of the wind farm and recommend modifications to mitigate the risk of rock slope instability. We devised solutions for challenging issues, including deep rock cuts and hardstand areas with stability concerns. Additionally, we implemented geosynthetic reinforcement in hardstand fill areas situated on steep slopes, ensuring enhanced stability and safety.
Location: County Kerry
Client: ESBI
Country: Ireland
Start Date: 2018
End Date: 2019
Capital Cost: €180 million (estimated)
Expertise at a Glance
Design Review, Geosynthetic Reinforcement, Rock Slope Stability, Geotechnics, Ground Risk Mitigation, Geomorphology
Turbines Megawatts
We provided geology and geomorphology services for Grousemount Wind farm - providing clean energy to 70,000 rural households
HALSARY WIND FARM
OVERVIEW
Halsary is one of two onshore wind farms being developed in Scotland as part of ScottishPower Renewables’ portfolio, and it successfully achieved its first export ahead of schedule before the end of 2020. The site will feature a total of 15 turbines, with six already energized and connected to the grid. Halsary generates approximately 30 MW of renewable electricity, enough to power over 20,000 homes. This 30 MW development also supplies clean energy to Tesco stores and operations throughout the UK, contributing significantly to the renewable energy supply on the grid.
ROLE
Ayesa was commissioned by the client to provide the detailed structural design for the gravity foundations and control building. The control building, featuring a steel portal frame, shallow spread foundations, masonry walls, and a ground-bearing slab, includes a single-story basement with a suspended GRP access floor.
Ayesa coordinated the design with incoming services to manage the electrical output from the turbines. Deliverables included general arrangement drawings, sections, specifications, and reinforced concrete drawings. The turbine foundation design received a Category 3 check by an independent company for technical approval, while the control building was reviewed by an independent engineer for Building Control (Scotland) sign-off. Our close collaboration with both parties facilitated the necessary approvals.
Expertise at a Glance
Detailed Design of Gravity Turbine Foundations, Cat 3 Checking, Control Building Design.
Location: Caithness, Spital
Client: Farrans, ScottishPower Renewables
Country: Scotland, UK
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2021
Capital Cost: £44 million
Turbines Megawatts
AWARDS:
2013 Green Organisation Green Apple Award, Gold Level for Glenconway Windfarm – awarded to Gaelforce Renewables
57.5
Location: County Derry
Client: Adman Ltd, ERG
Country: NI, UK
Start Date: Jan 2016
End Date: Dec 2016
Capital Cost: £65 million
BROCKAGHBOY WIND FARM
OVERVIEW
Brockaghboy Wind Farm is situated in County Derry and features 19 Vesta 3MW V90 turbines and 8.6 km of access tracks. Ayesa played a pivotal role as the civil, structural, and geotechnical consultant for this project. Our responsibilities included designing the crane hardstands and access tracks, which involved optimizing and enhancing the client’s initial tender package. Additionally, we managed the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and drainage design tailored to the site’s challenging, hilly terrain.
ROLE
Our contributions to the Brockaghboy Wind Farm project included the comprehensive civil design of crane hardstands and access tracks, where we refined the tender design package through optimisation and value engineering. We also developed a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and drainage design to address the site’s complex topography. Our scope included the design of four culvert crossings with associated bridge structures, the civil design for the substation platform, and upgrades to public roads required for turbine delivery, as well as the structural design of the 19 wind turbine generator (WTG) bases.
Ayesa conducted site inspections, provided signoffs, and approved various construction stages, including the formation level of turbine bases, finished hardstands, and access track surfaces. The project was executed by a local contractor under the promotion of ERG, a leading Italian energy utility provider.
Expertise at a Glance
Civil Design, Crane Hardstands, Access Tracks, SuDs and Drainage, Public Road Upgrades, Structural Design WTG Bases, Value Engineering, Culverts and Bridges, Sub station Design, Tender Design Package (value engineering)
CLONCREEN WINDFARM
OVERVIEW
In early 2020, Bord na Móna, The Irish State body launched the Cloncreen Wind Farm project in County Offaly. The project, which will power around 55,000 homes annually, involves constructing 21 wind turbines, each standing 170 meters high, and includes essential infrastructure like access roads, drainage systems, and a substation. This development is key to helping Ireland achieve its goal of 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The wind farm is currently undergoing construction by the contractor Farrans.
ROLE
Ayesa developed the tender design for Cloncreen Wind Farm project. The project’s scope for tender design included several critical components:
Wind Turbines: Design and layout of foundations for twenty-one wind turbines, each with a blade tip height of 170 meters, including associated hard-standing areas.
Site Access and Infrastructure: Creation of access roads and comprehensive drainage systems to support the new infrastructure.
Substations and Electrical Cabling: Design and site selection for a 110 kV electrical substation with potential locations in Ballykilleen and Cloncreen townlands, and managing underground electrical and communications cabling linking the turbines to the substation.
Demolition and Construction Management: Oversight of the demolition of existing structures, such as the ‘tea centre’ canteen and telecommunications installations.
Road Upgrades and Public Safety: Enhancement of public road networks, including designing new access junctions and upgrading existing ones to facilitate the delivery of turbine components and construction access. This includes substantial roadwork improvements and temporary modifications along critical junctions and road sections to accommodate abnormal load movements.
Location: County Offaly
Client: Bord na Móna
Country: Ireland
Start Date: 2020
Capital Cost: €106 million
GLENCONWAY WIND FARM
OVERVIEW
Glenconway wind farm in Northern Ireland was developed by SSE Renewables and constructed by Gael Force Renewables Ltd, a joint venture between McLaughlin & Harvey, Barr and W&H Alexander. The 20 turbine, 46MW site near Limavady forms part of SSE’s Slieve Kirk Wind Farm. Phase 2 included a 12 turbine extension of 2.3MW Siemens wind turbines.
ROLE
Ayesa was appointed by Gael Force Renewables Ltd as the civil designer for the Phase 2 development.
The design required a flexible approach to allow for the presence of deep peat across the site and the need to allow for commercial harvesting of the peat upon completion of the works.
We prepared the civils design package including 5.5km of internal access roads, which run through challenging deep peat areas. Our team also worked on the geotechnical and structural design of piled and gravity turbine bases.
AWARDS:
2013 Green Organisation Green Apple Award, Gold Level for Glenconway Windfarm
2014 Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Award – Most Considerate Site Runner-Up for Glenconway Windfarm (in top 20 out of 9000 in UK)
Expertise at a Glance
Civil Design Phase 2 of the Development, Internal Access Roads, Geotechnical and Structural Design of Piled and Gravity Turbine Bases.
Location: Limavady
Client: Gael Force Renewables, JV: McLaughin & Harvey, Barr and W&H Alexander for SSE Renewables
Country: NI, UK
Capital Cost: Undisclosed
Turbines Megawatts
ALTAMUSKIN WIND FARM - TYRONE
OVERVIEW
Altamuskin Wind Farm in Sixmilecross in County Tyrone comprises six 2.3MW Enercon E-82 wind turbines, along with 1.4km of upgraded and new access tracks. Ayesa acted as civil and geotechnical consultants on the project, which included design and supervision of the entire infrastructure works.
ROLE
The works included civils design of crane hardstands and access tracks, drainage design (including SuDS) for the complete site, cable routes and utility trench details, civils design of public road upgrade works, the Transportation Delivery Route for the turbines along with substation design. Ayesa also undertook site inspections, sign-offs and approvals of turbine base formation level, finished hardstand and access track surface. Throughout the design process and the construction phase, a dedicated team of civil, geotechnical & structural engineers was assigned to the project.
Location: County Tyrone
Client: CNK Construction
Country: NI, UK
Start Date: 2015
End Date: 2017
Capital Cost: Undisclosed
Expertise at a Glance
Civil Design Crane Hardstands, Access tracks, Drainage including SuDs (full site), Cable Routes, Utility Trenches, Public Road Upgrade Works, Site Inspections, Approvals of Site Base Formations, Finished Hardstand, Geotechnical and Structural Consulting.
AIKENGALL WIND FARM PHASE II
OVERVIEW
The Aikengall “Phase II” wind farm, located south of Dunbar in east Scotland, is an extension of Community Windpower’s operational Aikengall Community Wind Farm. This new extension includes 19 Siemens Direct Drive wind turbines, contributing to a total installed capacity of 48MW. The farm produces clean, green electricity and displaces approximately 54,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The extension also features 16 Vestas V90 wind turbines, each with a generating capacity of 3MW and a tip height of 125 meters. Many turbines are strategically placed on high ridges within challenging and remote terrains, capable of powering over 31,000 households.
ROLE
Ayesa served as the civil and geotechnical consultants for the project. Our responsibilities included designing and supervising ground investigation works, creating the civils package for 10 kilometers of access tracks, culverts, and river crossings, as well as designing the crane hardstand areas necessary for erecting wind turbine towers. Ayesa also assessed the suitability and classification of site-won materials, maximising their reuse as road stone without the need to export excavated materials from the site.
INNOVATION
Ayesa implemented value engineering to optimise the construction process. By re-evaluating the initial planning proposal, we rationalized access routes and reduced the overall length of the roads needed by about 15%. This reduction significantly lowered construction costs, benefiting both the contractor and the developer.
Expertise at a Glance
Civil Design, Geotechnical Consulting, 10 km Access Tracks, Culverts, River Crossings, Crane Hardstands, Circular Principles, Construction Supervision, Value Engineering.
AIKENGALL WIND FARM
Location: East Lothian
Client: Community Windpower
Country: Scotland, UK
Start Date: 2015
End Date: 2017
Capital Cost: Undisclosed
Turbines Megawatts
CUMBERHEAD WEST WINDFARM
OVERVIEW
Cumberhead West Wind Farm is located within Cumberhead Forest, around 7.7 km west northwest of Douglas, in South Lanarkshire. 3R Energy has entered into a joint-venture agreement with ScottishPower Renewables to deliver this project. This wind farm aims to achieve a generating capacity of approximately 126 MW, consisting of 21 wind turbines with a ground-to-blade tip height of up to 200 meters, alongside the necessary associated infrastructure. In addition to wind energy generation, the proposal includes the provision of around 40 MW of energy storage capacity, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the energy supply. The Cumberhead West Extension Windfarm will span approximately 898 hectares (ha) across the existing Cumberhead Forest and surrounding land.
ROLE
Ayesa is the Technical Advisor Consultant for ScottishPower on the Cumberhead West Windfarm project, following our recent successful detailed design commissions at Kilgallioch and Arecleoch windfarms. The civil balance of the plant contract is estimated to last 12 months, during which Ayesa will provide site sign-off and conduct office-based design reviews.
The project will include the following capabilities and other services as required:
• Design and construct new access roads, along with upgrading and widening existing access roads within the site.
• Remove approximately 99 hectares of forestry from the site.
• Construction of up to 2 temporary construction compounds/laydown areas and their subsequent restoration.
• Design and construction of 20 wind turbine generator (WTG) foundations, crane hardstandings, and blade laydown areas.
• Design and construction of 20 WTG 33kV switchgear foundations.
• Installation and termination of WTG switchgear and Sub-Station Section control building switchgear.
Location: Douglas, South Lanarkshire.
Client: JV between ScottishPower Renewables and 3R Energy
Country: Scotland, UK
Date: Ongoing
Capital Cost: £150 million
Turbines Megawatts
ARECLEOCH AND KILGALLIOCH WINDFARMS EXTENSIONS
OVERVIEW
ScottishPower Renewables received consent to significantly enhance their renewable energy footprint at the Kilgallioch and Arecleoch Windfarms. At Arecleoch, permission was secured to erect 13 new turbines, each with a towering tip height of up to 200 meters, collectively contributing approximately 72.8 megawatts (MW) of power. Similarly, Kilgallioch will see the addition of 9 turbines, with each reaching up to 180 meters in height and adding over 50MW in generating capacity. These expansions are critical as they align with Scotland’s ambitious carbon reduction goals.
ROLE
Ayesa combined several disciplines to ensure seamless project execution. Our responsibilities included vital infrastructure design to support the new turbines. These included:
Horizontal Alignment We strategically placed turbines to minimise wind interference and maximise energy output, taking into account access roads, electrical grid connections, and environmental impacts.
Vertical Alignment: We determined the ideal heights for turbines to capture the most wind energy, considering variations in wind speeds at different altitudes.
Access Track Design: We designed the horizontal and vertical alignment of the access tracks to enable safe and efficient transport to and from the turbine sites.
Pavement Design: We developed robust pavement designs that could withstand the heavy loads and frequent use associated with wind farm operations.
Drainage Design: We implemented effective drainage solutions to manage increased water flow, ensuring the protection of infrastructure and environment. We provided hydraulic and structural design services for watercourse crossings.
Turbine Hardstands and Crane Base Design: We created stable and durable platforms for the turbines and the cranes used in their installation, which were crucial for the safety and longevity of the wind farm.
Geotechnical Assessment: We evaluated the site materials to ensure they were suitable for the infrastructural needs of the extended wind farm, thereby mitigating risks associated with soil and subsoil conditions.
122.8
Location: South Ayrshire
Client: ScottishPower Renewables
Country: Scotland, UK
Date: October 2023
Capital Cost: Undisclosed
Offshore Renewable Wind Power
Transforming Ports into Energy Hubs
Ports are playing a major part in advancing offshore renewable energy, offering substantial economic and energy security benefits. These facilities are integral to constructing, operating, and maintaining marine energy systems, acting as crucial hubs for the offshore wind, tidal, and wave power supply chain. Ayesa, leveraging its vast experience and technical expertise, collaborates with developers, investors, government bodies, industry operators, port authorities, and contractors. We specialise in strategic port development to support the evolving needs of the offshore wind sector, from master planning to procurement and construction. We integrate our global insight with local knowledge to mitigate risks in maritime infrastructure projects.
The transformation of major ports into energy hubs is essential for achieving offshore renewable energy (ORE) ambitions. Such development projects go beyond ordinary infrastructure upgrades; they signify a shift towards sustainable economic growth for port facilities.
Evolving Maritime Infrastucture
Ayesa remains at the forefront of this transformative journey, ready to harness maritime infrastructure and renewable energy synergies.
A prime example of this transformation is Ayesa’s partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP) Lowestoft Port, where we led the redesign of the outer harbour. This project elevated the port’s capabilities, transforming it into the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF), an O&M service hub for the North Sea Wind Farms. This initiative exemplifies how ports can evolve into vital enablers of the green energy sector, supporting the assembly, deployment, and maintenance of renewable energy infrastructures.
The Nearshore of Offshore
For ports to fulfil this role, several infrastructure upgrades and developments are necessary, and Ayesa’s global maritime team can assist in this transformation:
New Infrastructure Development: The creation of new docks, warehouses, assembly areas, and administrative buildings, all planned and executed with the necessary permissions, to support the specific demands of renewable energy projects.
Land Reclamation: Increasing land availability through reclamation, providing essential space for the storage and assembly activities crucial to offshore wind projects.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Strengthening existing facilities, including quays and utility systems, to handle the unique requirements of green energy operations and enhance logistics within the port.
Utilisation of Landside and Nearshore Storage: Allocating space for storing materials and equipment needed for offshore wind projects ensures that resources are immediately available.
Access to Berth and Quays: We support the offshore wind industry by designing and delivering deep-water heavy-duty berths to facilitate nearshore operations for offshore wind farms. Additionally, we enhance existing harbors to provide state-of-the-art Operations and Maintenance (O&M) bases, enabling efficient support for both pre- and post-construction activities, including inspection, repair, and maintenance of offshore wind facilities.
Expertise at a Glance
Infrastructure & Port Development to Support ORE & New Revenue Streams, Master Plans, Licensing, Procurement & Construction, Project Management, Port Development and Infrastructure retrofitting, O&M Facilities, Logistics, Navigation Studies, Economic Assessments, Masterplanning, Client and Developer Support.
D1 OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE LOGISTICS FACILITY, NORTHERN IRELAND
OVERVIEW
The D1 Offshore Wind Turbine Logistics Facility at Belfast Harbour, the UK’s first purpose-built offshore wind logistics facility, involved the construction of a 500m-long new quay structure and deep-water berth facility and approaches. This included dredging and disposal of 600,000m³ of material and placement of 150,000T of rock armour protection for the new quay. The contract – the largest ever undertaken in the 400-year history of Belfast Harbour - also required the development of 50 acres of hinterland. The works were completed in just over 1 year.
ROLE
The quay wall, constructed on both land and water, featured a combination of 32-meter-long, 1.6-meterdiameter tubular piles and 22-meter-long sheet piles. Ayesa was responsible for designing the permanent anchors for the combi-wall, which comprised rock anchors integrated into 367 thirty-meter-long, 760mm-diameter raking piles, all anchored to a reinforced concrete beam. Additionally, Ayesa served as the temporary works designer for the project and offered geotechnical consulting to optimize the design and support structures of the heavy-duty hinterland pavement and its supporting piles.
Leveraging its extensive multidisciplinary expertise, Ayesa significantly enhanced the project by integrating its construction stage knowledge of quay walls with its experience in landside geotechnical remediation. After a thorough review of the client’s initial concept design, Ayesa proposed several variations, notably the adoption of an innovative geosynthetic ground stabilization solution. This approach substantially decreased the dependence on conventional piling techniques. Consequently, it led to a notable reduction in the project timeline and achieved capital savings of approximately £750,000.
Expertise at a Glance Marine & Coastal, Quay Wall,Temporary Works, Geotechnical Remediation, Concept Design Review
Location: Belfast
Client: Farrans
Country: UK
Capital Cost: £52 million
LOWESTOFT EASTERN ENERGY FACILITY (LEEF)
OVERVIEW
The Port of Lowestoft, situated near a major cluster of offshore wind farms in the UK, serves as a vital marine hub for offshore wind operations, including maintenance, repowering, and construction. Handling approximately 30,000 tonnes of cargo annually, it contributes £30 million to the economy and supports 580 jobs. The port is central to the burgeoning offshore energy industry, and the Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) project is a key element of a new masterplan aimed at developing the port as a hub for the Southern North Sea energy sector and the broader East Anglia region.
ROLE
Ayesa developed a concept for the port development into a full developed design ahead of a design and build procurement process. The project involved a critical review of the concept design, a value engineering process of optioneering and the development of the design of the SOV berths, floating CTV berths, and port paving and services. The design included geotechnical and structural analysis of a new 350m quay wall, service arrangements for fuel, power, and surface drainage, design of foundations and heavy lift paving areas. As part of the design process we utilised our in-house site investigation team.
Using our expert previous experience we were able to quickly and efficiently review and improve the berthing arrangement to remove the need for mooring dolphins, expensive fendering solutions and rationalise the paving concept by reusing existing areas. We introduced a phased construction methodology to allow the berths to become incrementally operational which allows the realisation of commercial value and the opportunity to pause the development to suit the market demand. Our SI team integrated seamlessly with our design team to optimise the investigation works to optimise data collection to the client budget and ultimately provide an efficient design.
Expertise at a Glance
Detailed Design of Port Development, Value Engineering, Geotehcnical Consulting, Site Investigation, Borehole monitoring, SOV Berts, Floating CTV Berths, Port Paving, Quay Wall, Site Investigation.
Location: Lowestoft
Client: Associated British Ports
Country: UK,
Capital Cost: £35 million
