RWE has acquired 36 of the 72 reusable heavy-duty covers from Round Covers, a provider based in the Netherlands, which are expected to be used to safeguard the foundations at the 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm in Denmark.
The covers, which have docked at Thyboron Port, Denmark, serve as a temporary measure for protection against seawater, precipitation, and bird waste until the turbine towers are erected on the monopiles.
Foundation installation efforts, including the application of the reusable covers, are set to commence this spring, with turbine installation anticipated for 2026.
These covers are typically discarded after usage as they are designed for a specific offshore project. However, the units from Round Covers are made from glass fiber-reinforced composite panels attached to a steel framework, and their design allows for adjustments and reuse across various monopile sizes, according to RWE.
It is projected that the individual panels of the covers could endure for 15 years or longer, depending on the frequency of adjustments required for the diameter.
“At RWE, we are the first globally to install covers from Round Covers B.V. that have previously been utilized in the high seas. These covers reduce waste and promote circularity while this initiative highlights our dedication to sustainable practices. Additionally, our Thor wind farm will test turbine towers made from CO2-reduced steel and employ recyclable wind turbine blades,” stated Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind.
According to the offshore wind developer, RWE is the pioneering company worldwide to repurpose these covers, granting them a new lease on life. Following their implementation at the 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm, the adjustable covers will be utilized in other projects.
Situated 22 kilometers off the Jutland west coast in the Danish North Sea, the project will include 72 wind turbines, half of which will feature CO2-reduced steel towers, with 40 units employing recyclable rotor blades.
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