Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm: Challenges and Solutions in the Substations Design and Installation 

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4. Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm: Challenges and Solutions in the Substations Design and Installation 

ABSTRACT: The successful installation of the two jacket structures for the Offshore Substations (OSS) at the Hai Long offshore wind farm in June 2024 represents a major milestone in the progression of Taiwan's renewable energy infrastructure. This paper discusses various geotechnical challenges and solutions implemented during the design and installation phases of the two OSS, considering the complex metocean conditions, seismic area, and challenging soil characteristics at the site. The discussion will focus on the following main topics: (i) the account for seabed mobility and the need for one of the substations to be relocated in an area where detailed geotechnical data were unavailable; (ii) the use of frond mats as 'shortterm' scour prevention technique as gravels could not be installed; and (iii) pile installation challenges including rapid pile penetration. The paper examines the challenges faced, the mitigation measures taken, and provides some feedback on the implementation and installations. The lessons learnt from the Hai Long substations project provide valuable insights for future offshore wind farms to be developed in similarly challenging environments, highlighting the importance of a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach that uses advanced engineering to tackle project specific challenges successfully.

5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG2025)

10 - Jacket pin piles design: capacity, long-term cyclic loading, seismic loads