Heerema Marine Contractors has announced the successful installation of its first WTG monopile foundation project at the He Dreiht Offshore Windfarm, currently Germany’s largest offshore wind farm by leading power supplier EnBW.
A major milestone was reached yesterday, as our Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel (SSCV) Thialf installed all 64 WTG Monopile Foundations, with each monopile measuring approximately 70 meters in length and weighing 1,350 tons, and each transition piece being 32 meters long and weighing 670 tons. The installation was finished well within the agreed timeframe, with all activities, including full grouting, completed within 24 hours per foundation location. A key factor in our success was the dedication and expertise of our highly skilled crew aboard the Thialf, who, together with our specialized subcontractors, executed excellent installation cycles. Moreover, these cycles were made possible by the efficient operation of Thialf’s dual cranes, the significant noise reduction achieved using the innovative T-NMS-10000, and the feeder barge concept, which ensured a continuous supply of monopiles and transition pieces to the vessel. This achievement underlines Heerema's commitment to efficiency and excellence in the offshore wind sector.
Heerema's Chief Operational Officer Michel Hendriks adds: "I am incredibly proud of our onshore and offshore teams for making this project a success, demonstrating Heerema's precision and efficiency in complex installations. Thanks to the trust and cooperation of our client ENBW, we've set a new benchmark for future monopile projects regarding performance and environmental standards. We look forward to continuing our leadership in the industry with a strong commitment to making the impossible possible offshore.”
Jörn Däinghaus, project director for He Dreiht at EnBW underlines: “We are very pleased that our joint planning with Heerema Marine Contractors has enabled such an efficient and smooth installation of the foundations. This is a key milestone for every offshore wind project. The collaboration on board the Thialf during installation of the foundations was outstanding. The teams worked together in a very professional and committed manner, which contributed significantly to the success of this project. Together, we have thus taken another important step towards a more sustainable energy supply.”
When completed, the He Dreiht wind farm is expected to have a capacity of over 960 MW, providing renewable energy for approximately 1.1 million households. This project not only supports Germany's energy transition, but also contributes to the European Union's broader goals of increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.