It provides a high-level overview of developer-side project management for bottom-fixed offshore wind farms. The objective is to give insights into how and when complex, multi-layered stakeholders are involved throughout the entire project lifecycle. In addition, it highlights the link between the project process and WTG / FOU design.
| Phase | Gate | Major Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Concept & Origination | G0 – Concept Approval | Market screening, site identification, high-level wind resource review, preliminary CAPEX estimate, initial stakeholder mapping |
| Site Securing | G1 – Site Secured | Bid submission / auction participation, concession or lease agreement execution, early stakeholder engagement |
| Development | — | Environmental baseline surveys, metocean deployment, grid connection application, preliminary layout, early financial model |
| Revenue Structuring | G2 – Revenue Secured | PPA / CfD negotiation and signing, tariff confirmation, revenue model finalization |
| Engineering (FEED) | — | Geophysical & geotechnical surveys, WTG selection, preliminary load envelope, foundation concept design, electrical concept design, installation strategy study |
| Pre-FID Readiness | G3 – Technical Readiness | FEED completion, grid alignment confirmed, contract negotiation substantially complete, updated CAPEX & schedule |
| Financing | G4 – Financial Close | Lender due diligence, insurance placement, debt agreements executed, financial model finalized |
| Investment Decision | G5 – FID | Board approval of full CAPEX, equity commitment, risk acceptance, transition from development to execution |
| Execution Authorization | G6 – NTP (Notice to Proceed) | Contractors formally instructed to begin fabrication/manufacturing, payment milestones activated |
| Fabrication & Manufacturing | — | WTG manufacturing, foundation fabrication, OSS construction, cable production |
| Transport & Installation | — | Port marshalling, vessel mobilization, foundation installation, OSS installation, cable lay, turbine erection |
| Energization | G7 – First Power | Export cable energized, OSS live, first turbine connected to grid |
| Commissioning | — | Mechanical completion, electrical completion, grid code testing, performance verification |
| Commercial Operation | G8 – COD | Reliability run completed, commercial operation declared |
| Operations Setup & Handover | — | O&M mobilization, spare parts readiness, control room activation, final documentation & handover |
- G2 (Revenue Secured) reduces revenue risk
- G4 (Financial Close) reduces financing risk.
- G5 (FID) commits capital.
- G6 (NTP) activates execution contracts.
- G8 (COD) marks full revenue commencement.
Legend:
█ = Major activity
░ = Minor / support activity
◆ = Milestone occurs in this year
Project Duration: 6 Years
FID assumed at end of Year 3
NTP assumed early Year 4
| WBS | Package | Y1 | Y2 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Development | █ | █ | ░ | Y1 ◆ G1 Site Secured Y2 ◆ G2 Revenue Secured |
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| 2 | Engineering | ░ | █ | █ | ░ | Y3 ◆ FEED Complete | ||
| 3 | Procurement | ░ | █ | ░ | Y3 ◆ G4 Financial Close Y3 ◆ G5 FID |
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| 4 | Fabrication | ░ | █ | █ | ░ | Y4 ◆ First Steel | ||
| 5 | Transport & Installation | █ | █ | ░ | Y4 ◆ First Foundation Installed Y5 ◆ First Turbine Installed |
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| 6 | Commissioning | █ | █ | Y5 ◆ First Power Y6 ◆ COD |
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| 7 | Operations Setup | ░ | ░ | █ | █ | Y6 ◆ Handover to O&M |
- 1.1.1 Site screening & feasibility
- 1.1.2 Auction / bid submission
- 1.1.3 Concession / lease agreement
- 1.2.1 Baseline environmental surveys
- 1.2.2 EIA / ESIA preparation
- 1.2.3 Fisheries & stakeholder consultation
- 1.2.4 Permit submission
- 1.3.1 Grid connection application
- 1.3.2 Preliminary grid studies
- 1.3.3 PPA / CfD structuring
- 1.3.4 Financial model development
- 1.4.1 Development schedule
- 1.4.2 Risk register
- 1.4.3 Site investigation planning
- 2.1.1 Geophysical survey
- 2.1.2 Geotechnical campaign
- 2.1.3 Metocean measurement
- 2.1.4 UXO survey
- 2.2.1 WTG selection & preliminary load envelope
- 2.2.2 Layout optimization
- 2.2.3 Foundation concept design
- 2.2.4 Electrical concept (IAC, OSS, export)
- 2.2.5 Installation methodology study
- 2.2.6 Typhoon & seismic design basis
- 2.3.1 WTG project-specific validation
- 2.3.2 Foundation detailed design
- 2.3.3 OSS detailed design
- 2.3.4 Cable detailed design
- 2.3.5 Protection & control design
- 2.4.1 Independent design review
- 2.4.2 Grid code compliance modeling
- 2.4.3 Class / certifier approval
- 3.1.1 Packaging definition
- 3.1.2 Interface matrix
- 3.1.3 Tender documentation
- 3.2.1 WTG TSA
- 3.2.2 Foundation EPCI
- 3.2.3 OSS EPCI
- 3.2.4 IAC EPCI
- 3.2.5 Export Cable EPCI
- 3.2.6 T&I contract
- 4.1.1 Blade production
- 4.1.2 Nacelle assembly
- 4.1.3 Tower fabrication
- 4.1.4 Factor Acceptance Test
- 4.2.1 Steel procurement
- 4.2.2 Rolling & welding
- 4.2.3 Coating & corrosion protection
- 4.2.4 Transition pieces
- 4.2.5 QA/QC & inspection
- 4.3.1 Jacket / monopile fabrication
- 4.3.2 Topsides build
- 4.3.3 HV equipment installation
- 4.3.4 Factor Acceptance Test
- 4.4.1 IAC production
- 4.4.2 Export cable production
- 4.4.3 Factory testing
- 5.1.1 Port upgrades
- 5.1.2 Storage & marshalling setup
- 5.2.1 Vessel mobilization
- 5.2.2 Marine warranty approval
- 5.2.3 Typhoon season planning
- 5.3.1 Foundation installation
- 5.3.2 Scour protection
- 5.3.3 OSS installation
- 5.3.4 Cable lay & burial
- 5.3.5 Turbine erection
- 6.1 Mechanical Completion
- 6.2 Electrical Completion
- 6.3 Cold Commissioning
- 6.4 Hot Commissioning
- 6.5 Grid Code Testing
- 6.6 Reliability Run
- 6.7 Commercial Operation Date (COD)
- 7.1 O&M Contract Finalization
- 7.2 Spare Parts & Warehouse Setup
- 7.3 Control Room & SCADA Integration
- 7.4 Service Vessel Contracts
- 7.5 Warranty Tracking System
- 7.6 Handover to Operations