RWE Implements Reusable Covers for Offshore Wind Farm Protection

RWE, a leading energy company, has recently taken delivery of 36 out of 72 reusable covers from Dutch company Circular Covers. These innovative covers are set to protect the foundations of the 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm in the Danish North Sea.

Designed to shield the monopile foundations from the harsh conditions at sea, the covers will remain in place until the turbine towers are installed next year. Typically, such covers are disposed of after use due to their project-specific nature. However, Circular Covers has revolutionized this practice by creating reusable covers made from glass fibre reinforced composite panels bolted to a steel frame.

One of the key features of these covers is their adjustability, allowing them to be used for different sizes of monopiles. This not only reduces waste but also enhances circularity in offshore wind projects. The panels are expected to last for at least 15 years, with the potential for even longer lifespan depending on adjustments needed.

The 72 covers destined for the Thor project were previously utilized at an offshore wind farm off the Dutch coast. Once their deployment at the Thor wind farm is complete, these adjustable covers will be repurposed for other upcoming offshore wind projects.

Foundation installation work at the Thor offshore wind farm, including the deployment of the reusable covers, is scheduled to commence in spring 2025, with turbine installation expected in 2026. Upon commissioning in 2027, the wind farm will have the capacity to generate enough green electricity to power over one million Danish households.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, expressed the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation through initiatives like the reusable covers. “At RWE, we are the first in the world to install covers from Circular Covers B.V. that have previously been used on the high seas. These covers reduce waste and increase circularity, showcasing our dedication to sustainable practices,” he stated.

Furthermore, the Thor wind farm will pioneer the use of turbine towers made from CO2-reduced steel and recyclable wind turbine blades, further exemplifying RWE’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions.