Skanska is Going Green
ICE® Works Towards a Wind Energy Future 

Editor: Allison Braswell

A 12-megawatt wind project off the coast of Virginia, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Pilot Project, is the first offshore wind project established in federal waters and the largest of its kind in the United States. Installed in Fall 2020, 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, the two wind turbines can deliver renewable energy to about 3,000 homes during peak production. Not only is CVOW a big step towards a clean energy future, but it helps to diversify homes' energy supply, which lowers fuel costs and increases energy security. 

As part of ongoing work toward CVOW, Skanska Group has taken on a $223 million assignment at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Portsmouth, VA. Since July 2022, Skanska has been rebuilding approximately 72 acres of the 287-acre terminal to prepare the way for an offshore wind staging port, which will improve 1,500 feet of an existing 3,540-foot wharf. This will add 176 new turbines to the project that will produce 2.6 gigawatts, enough to power up to 660,000 homes. The wind farm will also feature three offshore substations to accumulate the energy, underwater cables to get it ashore, and new onshore transmission infrastructure to deliver the energy onto the broader electric grid. Completion is scheduled for 2026. 

The contractor invested in a variety of ICE® green iron for this project, including an ICE® I-138 Diesel Impact Hammer with 66" (in) offshore leads, two ICE® 50B Vibratory Driver/Extractors with Model 105H Caisson Clamps and 6.5' (ft) Beam assemblies, and an ICE® 66 Vibratory Driver/Extractor with Model 145H Caisson Clamps and 6.5' (ft) Beam assembly. The equipment made an easy job of driving and extracting piles for a pre-piling template to simplify the pile driving process. 

Other work on the project includes building berths for the wind turbine generator delivery and load-out and the berth for steel tube monopiles, an essential part of wind turbine foundations. Monopiles serve as the base for the transition pieces, which support secondary elements like boat landings and platforms for safe access to the turbines. The top flange of the transition piece is bolted to the turbine tower. Extra measures are being taken to strengthen the soil in the upland areas for handling heavy surface loadings from these foundation components as well as cranes, generators, and self-propelled modular transporters. This project will also involve dredging a channel and access area that reinforces a Mediterranean mooring layout, a technique for docking a vessel to pier at a perpendicular angle in efforts to occupy less space at a wharf. International Construction Equipment, Inc is honored that Skanska chose to rely on several types of ICE® foundation solutions for this innovative endeavor that will help Virginia achieve its clean energy goals. 

Learn more about the ICE® I-138, ICE® 50B, ICE® 66C, Model 105H Caisson Clamps, and Model 145H Caisson Clamps. 

Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  

Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com