Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, a U.S.-based company, has announced the cancellation of its contract for rock installation for the 1200MW Empire Wind 2 project, a joint venture between Equinor and bp. The termination follows similar announcements from Seatrium, responsible for supplying the offshore substation platform, and Sif, handling the monopiles for the project.
Originally slated to commence in 2026, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, in partnership with Van Oord, was set to provide rocks for Empire Wind 2. The termination triggers a contractually obligated termination fee, covering potential lost earnings, which Equinor and bp will have to pay.
Despite the setback, rock installation for the developers' Empire Wind 1 project is still scheduled to begin in 2025. Eleni Beyko, Senior Vice-president-Offshore Wind at Great Lakes, emphasized the company's commitment to future collaborations with Equinor and bp, expressing anticipation for the Empire Wind 1 installation in 2025. Beyko also highlighted ongoing pursuit of additional opportunities, both internationally for 2026 and beyond, reflecting Great Lakes Dredge & Dock's resilience in the renewable energy sector.