RWE and TotalEnergies Select Eemshaven as Base for OranjeWind Offshore Wind Project

RWE and TotalEnergies have chosen the port of Eemshaven in Groningen, Netherlands, as the hub for turbine assembly and construction for their joint offshore wind project, OranjeWind, in the Dutch North Sea.

The OranjeWind joint venture has inked a deal with Buss Terminal Eemshaven for the pre-assembly and offshore construction of turbines scheduled for 2027. Construction activities at the offshore wind site are set to commence in early 2026.

Buss Terminal Eemshaven will play a crucial role in handling the offloading, storage, handling, and pre-assembly of major turbine components and inter-array cabling for the 795 MW OranjeWind wind farm.

The monopile foundations will be transported directly from Sif’s production facility at the Port of Rotterdam to the offshore installation site. Turbine installation at the OranjeWind offshore site, located approximately 278 km from Eemshaven, is expected to kick off in early 2027, with full commissioning targeted by the end of the same year.

RWE is currently utilizing the Buss terminal at Eemshaven for monopile foundations for its Danish offshore wind project, Thor, while preparing to support the construction of its German offshore wind project, Nordseecluster A.

The agreement for the OranjeWind project will see a marshalling area of 35-40 hectares being utilized to accommodate both OranjeWind and Nordseecluster B projects simultaneously.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with RWE and TotalEnergies and act as the construction base for another significant offshore wind project. With our skilled team, safety and timely project completion remain our top priorities. This project will further cement Buss Ports’ reputation as a leading harbour logistics partner for offshore wind projects,” said Marc Wegman, Managing Director of Buss Terminal Eemshaven.

Supply Chain Pieces Coming Together for OranjeWind

Turbine manufacturer Vestas will supply 53 of their 15 MW turbines for OranjeWind, while Sif will produce monopiles and secondary steel components. Jan De Nul Group has been tasked with various transportation and installation activities for foundations and turbines.

TKF will manufacture and deliver the inter-array cables, with DEME handling their transportation and installation. DEME is also responsible for installing the secondary steel components for the foundations. Grid operator TenneT will facilitate the offshore grid connection, linking the inter-array cables to its offshore substation, from which export cables will connect to the onshore high-voltage substation in Wijk aan Zee.

Upon completion, Vestas will service the wind turbines for five years under a service agreement, followed by a long-term operational support agreement.