Houlder’s Managing Director, Rupert Hare is confident the company has the design capability to support upcoming third generation wind farm projects.

Some of the sites chosen for the 16,000 predicted turbines are ‘over the horizon’ from shore. This means installation will become increasingly dependent on the kind of open sea support, lifting and installation vessels, Houlder has specialised in since the pioneering days of North Sea Oil. That said, Rupert is conscious that installing the planned turbines is not as straightforward as directly utilising proven Oil & Gas engineering.

Government targets are very ambitious and suppliers of wind technology will have to think creatively to provide cost effective and easily implemented solutions. Fortunately, says Rupert, that’s the kind of challenge the team at Houlder enjoy.