RWE Partners with Jan De Nul Group for Offshore Wind Installation Vessels

RWE Partners with Jan De Nul Group for Offshore Wind Installation Vessels

(IN BRIEF) RWE has partnered with Jan De Nul Group to secure the long-term usage of two next-generation installation vessels for offshore wind projects. The agreement includes the exclusive charter of “Les Alizés” and “Voltaire,” specialized vessels capable of installing wind turbine foundations and turbines. The partnership will support RWE’s current and future offshore construction projects and address vessel capacity challenges in the market. This collaboration builds upon their previous work together on RWE’s Kaskasi offshore wind farm, and it reinforces RWE’s commitment to advancing renewable energy through efficient offshore wind construction.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 12-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE AG (ETR: RWE), a German multinational energy company, has entered into a significant agreement with Jan De Nul Group, a prominent maritime services provider based in Luxembourg. The partnership aims to secure the long-term utilization of two state-of-the-art installation vessels for future offshore wind foundation and turbine construction. Under the agreement, Jan De Nul Group will offer comprehensive in-house and market solutions to support and execute installation campaigns for RWE’s offshore wind projects. These contracts provide RWE with vessel capacities and services, ensuring a competitive advantage in a challenging market.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind: “Europe needs more offshore wind power to reach its ambitious climate targets. We are already making a significant contribution and resolutely driving forward the future build-out of offshore wind in Europe and globally. Through this strategic partnership, RWE has taken a big step in securing the necessary installation vessels and services to deliver our large-scale offshore wind farms Thor and Hollandse Kust West VII, as well as further projects to come. These kinds of agreements are exactly what we need against the backdrop of the challenging market situation.”

The collaboration includes the exclusive and long-term charter of two specialized next-generation offshore installation vessels named “Les Alizés” and “Voltaire.” These vessels can be deployed at RWE’s existing and future offshore construction projects and can also facilitate maintenance campaigns for RWE’s current offshore wind fleet, if necessary.

“Les Alizés” is a purpose-built vessel specifically designed for transporting, lifting, and installing wind turbine foundations. With a lifting capacity of up to 5,000 tonnes and a deck loading capacity of 61,000 tonnes, the vessel is future-proofed to handle the scale and design of forthcoming foundations that will support the next generation of wind turbines. RWE plans to deploy “Les Alizés” initially for its Danish offshore project, Thor, where foundation installation works for the 1,000-megawatt wind farm are scheduled for 2025.

“Voltaire” is the world’s largest jack-up installation vessel, equipped with a 3,200-tonne crane capacity and approximately 130-meter long legs. Its innovative design makes it highly suitable for installing next-generation wind farms in deep waters. RWE has secured the charter of “Voltaire” for over four years, starting from 2027. Depending on the final investment decision, RWE intends to utilize this vessel to install turbines at its Hollandse Kust West VII wind farm located off the Dutch coast.

This framework agreement builds upon the ongoing collaboration between RWE and Jan De Nul Group. In the past, Jan De Nul Group provided installation services for RWE’s offshore wind farm, Kaskasi, situated off the German coast, during 2021 and 2022. Most recently, Jan De Nul Group was awarded the export and inter-array cable installation scopes for RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm.

Philippe Hutse, CEO of Jan De Nul Offshore Energy: “We are delighted to further step up our contribution to the worldwide energy transition through this long-term partnership. This multi-year approach creates much-desired planning security for our state-of-the-art installation vessels and will allow safe and efficient installation of a large number of offshore wind farms. We look forward to the continued cooperation with our highly valued client RWE.”

The partnership between RWE and Jan De Nul Group showcases their shared commitment to advancing offshore wind capabilities. By securing access to cutting-edge installation vessels, RWE strengthens its position as a leading player in the renewable energy sector, facilitating the efficient construction of offshore wind projects and contributing to the global energy transition.

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SOURCE: RWE