CHC Helicopter has secured a new contract with RWE Renewables to support the development of its Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the North Sea. In total, 100 turbines will be installed at the site on Dogger Bank, 195km from the nearest point on the northeast coast of the UK.

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is one of the first projects in the world to use Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energies' 14MW wind turbines. When operational, the wind farm will save more than 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year compared to the use of fossil fuels in the UK. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

The contract is a milestone for RWE as it is the first time the renewable energy company has contracted a helicopter service during the construction phase of an offshore wind farm project. CHC will operate an AW139 to provide crew change support for the development of Sofia, with the first flights commencing from its Norwich base in September 2024.

The contract strengthens CHC's position as a trusted partner to the offshore wind sector. The operator is presently providing crew transportation services for the construction of the Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm, a joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. And since 2017, CHC has provided crew transportation support to Ørsted's Hornsea 1 and 2, the largest offshore wind farms globally, until Dogger Bank's completion.

Dave Grant, commercial director, EMEA, says: “We are proud to be selected as the aviation partner for the construction of Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. This project reflects our continued support for the development of sustainable energy sources and our reputation for exceptional safety standards and operational excellence. The team look forward to building our relationship with RWE Renewables and supporting its success.”

Jonathan Grigg, senior project manager, RWE Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, adds: “We're delighted to have secured CHC's services for the Sofia project. Sofia's distance from shore means that we need a first class helicopter service, and CHC demonstrated throughout our search that it has the right capabilities and ethos to partner with us. We look forward to welcoming it onto the project.”

CHC's focus on safety, reliability and the development of sustainable best practices were key factors contributing to the award of this contract. The company has played a critical role in the development of a number of offshore wind farms across the globe, and this latest contract underscores the operator's enduring success in the sector.