Cadeler (offshore wind farm installation contractor) has completed the installation of the first fully commissioned monopile foundation at Ørsted's Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm off the UK coast, marking a significant milestone for both the project and the Danish installation contractor as it expands into complete foundation transport and installation operations.

A First for Cadeler's Operational Scope

The Hornsea 3 project represents the first time Cadeler has taken on the complete transportation and installation scope for offshore monopile foundations. The company will transport and install a total of 197 monopile foundations as part of this contract, making the completion of the first structure a meaningful indicator of progress for an undertaking that has required years of planning, engineering, and coordination across onshore and offshore teams.

Bradley Scott, Project Director at Cadeler, described the significance of the milestone in broader operational terms. "This milestone is not just about the first structure in the ground; it represents an important step as we continue expanding into full-scope foundation transport and installation," Scott said. "Delivering projects at this scale requires close collaboration, detailed planning, and strong execution across every phase of the operation."

Multiple Vessels and Specialists Involved in First Installation

The installation of the first complete monopile foundation drew on resources from several specialised vessels and project partners operating across different scopes of work.

The monopile itself was installed by Wind Ally, Cadeler's purpose-built A-class vessel and the company's first newbuilding of that class, which was specifically designed to support the transportation and installation of XXL monopile foundations. Secondary steel installation was carried out by Wind Orca, another vessel in Cadeler's fleet.

Full commissioning of the foundation was handled by the service operation vessel ESVAGT FROUDE, operated by the Danish company ESVAGT. Post-installation commissioning and completion work on the foundation was delivered by Boston Energy.

The completed installation reflects what Cadeler described as the coordinated execution of multiple specialized offshore scopes across vessels and project partners. For the broader Hornsea 3 installation program, Cadeler will deploy three of its own specialist offshore wind installation vessels, including Wind Ally.

Hornsea 3 Set to Become World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm

When complete, Hornsea 3 will hold the distinction of being the single largest offshore wind farm in the world, with a total generating capacity of 2.9 gigawatts.

Ørsted has stated the project will be capable of powering more than 3.3 million UK homes with renewable energy. The farm is located off the UK coast and forms part of Ørsted's broader Hornsea zone in the North Sea.

The scale of the project places considerable demands on the installation contractor. With 197 monopile foundations to be transported and installed under Cadeler's scope, the program represents a substantial logistical and engineering undertaking, requiring sustained coordination over the course of the installation campaign.

Significance for Cadeler's Strategic Direction

The Hornsea 3 contract signals a shift in how Cadeler positions itself within the offshore wind supply chain. Taking on the full transportation and installation scope for monopile foundations moves the company beyond more limited installation roles and into a position of broader project responsibility.

Scott emphasized that the successful delivery of the first foundation reflects this expanded capability, noting that it was the outcome of years of preparation across multiple teams.

The deployment of Wind Ally, a vessel purpose-built for XXL monopile foundations, also reflects the direction in which offshore wind turbine and foundation sizes have been moving, with developers and contractors investing in equipment capable of handling increasingly large components as the industry scales up.

Scott added: "We are proud to support Ørsted on Hornsea 3 and grateful to all teams offshore and onshore whose commitment and collaboration have contributed to reaching this point safely and successfully." The announcement was made from Cadeler's headquarters in Copenhagen on 14 May 2026.

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