First steel cutting marks start of work on Sofia's offshore converter platform
An official steel cutting ceremony at Sembcorp Marine's yard in Batam, Indonesia marked the start of fabrication of Sofia's impressive offshore converter platform.
The event included a sharing of the Indonesian culinary icon, potong tumpeng, as well as speeches by those able to be on-site, including Sofia's Fabrication Manager Ryan Fokens. Travel restrictions meant the live speeches were followed by video messages from members of the senior management of Sembcorp Marine, GE's Grid Solutions and RWE.
Both Sven Utermoehlen, Chief Executive Officer Wind Offshore of RWE Renewables and Matthew Swanwick, Sofia Project Director, wished the teams well and particularly focussed on the safety message.
Sven Utermoehlen said: "The offshore converter station sitting at the heart of the wind farm will be one of the most powerful ever installed - so this means that you are now starting on what will be a historical construction effort.
"Each day on site it will also be about working together - remembering at all times the importance of maintaining and ensuring the safety of all."
Matthew Swanwick added: "This is an innovative and awe-inspiring piece of kit but key to the successful construction will be you all - the people - and at the end of the day, our project will be measured on how we have kept people safe.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you all to keep focus on both your own safety, and that of those around you. As we all want to be able to enjoy tomorrow."
You can view the full video messages here.
To see Sembcorp Marin's video of the steel-cutting event click here.
Fabrication of the offshore converter platform, comprising a 10,000 tonne topside and 7,000 tonne foundation, will be completed and ready for installation in 2024.
From left: Sofia's Ryan Fokens, SMOP Project Director Ron Chia and Project Manager Zulchinda August share the Indonesian culinary icon - potong tumpeng - at the official steel cutting for Sofia's offshore converter platform.
Thumbs up from the Sofia / RWE team on-site in Batam, Indonesia for the first steel cutting ceremony.