Wind Energy – Ecowende
Yesterday, Van Oord has installed the first monopile of Ecowende offshore wind farm.
“A major milestone for Ecowende,” according to Tjalling de Bruin, CEO of Ecowende. “Not only does it bring us a step closer to the wind park’s realisation, it also allows us to test innovative installation techniques minimising underwater noise.”
The installation was executed by Boreas, Van Oord’s new next-generation offshore wind installation vessel. It is equipped with a 3,310-tonne crane, incorporates advanced emissions-reducing technologies, and is built to operate on methanol—significantly lowering its environmental footprint.
Boreas’ low-noise positioning and installation systems help minimise disturbance to marine life, making it a key asset for projects with ambitious ecological requirements such as Ecowende.
The Ecowende wind farm will feature monopiles in two diameters (8.8m and 9.3m), both produced by Sif Group, to support varying turbine tower heights. Research indicates that higher turbine tip heights may allow birds to fly more safely between the structures, reducing collision risks.
