IHC Hydrohammer has invested € 37 million to expand its fleet of rental pile drivers as well as the further development and production of a revolutionary new design that will transform the market for ultra-deep water structures in the offshore oil and gas sectors: the IHC Waterhammer.
The Waterhammer was developed for use in deep water at depths up to 3000 metres. It is controlled by a radical hydraulic system that uses sea water instead of oil. It is technically impossible to pump oil to and from such depths, but sea water is always available. Furthermore, there is no risk of accidental oil leaks.
Major Investment
IHC Hydrohammer is a subsidiary of IHC Merwede and market leader in the field of pile driving equipment. The company has decided to invest € 37 million in expanding its pile driver rental fleet as well as the further development and production of the IHC Waterhammer to be able to meet the increasing demand from activities such as the installation of offshore wind turbines.
Need for Green Energy
In Europe, national governments have agreed to supply 20% of their national energy needs from green sources by 2020. This has dramatically increased the need for sustainably produced green energy and offshore wind turbines, which in turn requires more large pile driving equipment, which is necessary for the installation of the offshore turbines.
Largest Offshore Windmill Project
IHC Hydrohammer has already signed contracts for at least four European windmill projects this year. In 2011, the largest offshore windmill project in the United Kingdom, the London Array, will begin constructing no fewer than 177 pylons – each measuring 4.7 metres in diameter – and the company has been asked to supply the pile driving equipment.
Picture: Offshore wind turbine installation near Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands, viewed from the ship the Svanen
