RWE Leads the Way in Offshore Wind Sustainability with Reused Foundation Covers for Thor Project

RWE Leads the Way in Offshore Wind Sustainability with Reused Foundation Covers for Thor Project

(IN BRIEF) RWE has become the first company to deploy reused monopile foundation covers at its Thor offshore wind farm, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. The wind farm, located off the Danish coast, will use innovative materials, including CO2-reduced steel towers and recyclable rotor blades, to advance RWE’s green energy efforts. The project will power over one million households upon completion in 2027.

(PRESS RELEASE) COPENHAGEN, 15-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has made a groundbreaking move in sustainability by becoming the first company to utilize reused monopile foundation covers from the Dutch company Circular Covers B.V. For its 1.1 gigawatt Thor offshore wind farm, RWE has received 36 of the 72 reusable covers at Thyboron Port in Denmark. These covers, designed to protect the monopile foundations from harsh weather conditions at sea, will remain in place until the turbine towers are installed in 2026.

RWE’s innovative approach to reusing these covers underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles. The covers, which have been used previously on offshore projects, are made from glass-fiber-reinforced composite panels bolted to a steel frame. This design allows the panels to be adjusted for different monopile sizes, with an expected lifespan of up to 15 years or more. Typically, such covers would be discarded after use, as they are custom-designed for each project. However, RWE is extending their life cycle, demonstrating a significant step in reducing waste and promoting circularity in offshore wind development.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, commented on the project, saying, “We are proud to lead the industry by being the first to install reused covers from Circular Covers B.V., which have previously been deployed on the high seas. These covers are an essential part of our commitment to sustainability, reducing waste, and improving circularity. Moreover, the Thor wind farm will also feature turbine towers made from CO2-reduced steel and recyclable wind turbine blades, further advancing our sustainable practices.”

The innovative covers not only protect the monopiles from seawater, rain, and bird droppings, but their adjustable nature makes them reusable for future offshore projects. After their use at the Thor wind farm, these covers will be redeployed at other offshore sites, maximizing their utility.

The Thor wind farm, located 22 kilometers off the coast of Jutland in the Danish North Sea, will consist of 72 turbines, half of which will feature CO2-reduced steel towers, with 40 turbines incorporating recyclable rotor blades. These measures aim to decarbonize steel production by using green electricity and substituting scrap steel for iron ore. The recyclable rotor blades employ a new type of resin, allowing them to be easily separated and reused after their operational life, potentially for applications such as in the automotive industry.

Construction for the Thor offshore wind farm is progressing on schedule. Foundation installation will begin this spring, with turbine installation set for 2026. Upon its completion in 2027, the wind farm will generate enough green electricity to power more than one million Danish households. Additionally, the project is expected to create 50 to 60 local jobs as part of its operations and maintenance plan at the Port of Thorsminde.

RWE is already a global leader in offshore wind, with 19 offshore wind farms in operation. The company is also developing other large-scale projects, including the Sofia offshore wind farm in the UK (1.4 GW), the Nordseecluster off the German coast (1.6 GW), and the OranjeWind offshore wind farm in the Netherlands (795 MW), in partnership with TotalEnergies.

For more information about RWE’s Thor offshore wind project, please visit: thor.rwe.com.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a clean energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy.
RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-
degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose –
Our energy for a sustainable life.

Forward-looking statements
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Media Contact:

Sarah Knauber
Press spokesperson
RWE Offshore Wind GmbH
M +49 162 25 444 89
E sarah.knauber@rwe.com

SOURCE: RWE