RWE has successfully installed all 72 monopile foundations for the 1.1-gigawatt Thor offshore wind farm in the Danish North Sea, marking a significant milestone in the construction of Denmark's largest offshore wind farm to date. The installation work was completed over a five-month period, keeping the project on track for its planned completion in 2027.

Foundation Installation Details

The monopiles, each measuring around 100 meters in length and weighing up to 1,500 metric tonnes, were installed by Jan De Nul using their vessel “Les Alizés.” The weight of each monopile is roughly equivalent to 1,000 small cars. The monopiles were shipped from the heavy-lift terminal in Eemshaven, Netherlands, to the Thor construction site located approximately 22 kilometers off the west coast of Jutland.

Rather than using traditional monopile foundations topped with separate transition pieces, the project utilizes extended single monopiles. Secondary steel structures, including boat landings, will be fitted offshore, with installation works scheduled for completion later this year. These secondary steel structures are being handled at the Danish Port of Thyborøn, which also serves as the base for the control center that manages marine logistics and traffic throughout the offshore construction phase.

Sustainable Construction Features

The Thor project incorporates several innovative sustainability measures. To protect the monopiles from harsh sea conditions until turbine towers are mounted next year, innovative reusable hard covers will be installed. Typically, such covers are disposed of after use because they are tailor-made for specific offshore projects, but the covers used at Thor are designed for reuse, reducing waste and increasing circularity.

Thor will be the first offshore wind farm in the world to use 36-turbine steel towers manufactured with a lower carbon footprint. Additionally, half of the turbines will be equipped with recyclable rotor blades, further demonstrating the project's commitment to sustainable practices.

Project Timeline and Capacity

Turbine installation works are scheduled to begin in 2026, operating from the Port of Esbjerg in Denmark. When fully operational in 2027, the Thor offshore wind farm will have a capacity of 1,080 megawatts and will be capable of producing enough green electricity to supply the equivalent of more than one million Danish households. The wind farm's operations and maintenance plan includes the creation of 50 to 60 local jobs in a new service building at the Port of Thorsminde.

Construction of the new RWE service building is already underway and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

Partnership and Company Background

Thor offshore wind farm is a joint project between RWE, which holds a 51% stake, and Norges Bank Investment Management, which owns 49%. RWE is responsible for the construction and operation of the Thor offshore wind farm throughout its lifecycle. Dr. Tobias Keitel, Chief Technology Officer RWE Offshore Wind, stated: “Together with our partner, Norges Bank Investment Management, we are well on track with the construction of Thor – Denmark's largest offshore wind farm to date.

The safe installation of the monopiles is a testament to the expertise, dedication, and collaboration of the entire team involved.” RWE currently operates 19 offshore wind farms globally, including Rødsand 2, located south of the Danish island of Lolland. Beyond Thor in Denmark, the company is simultaneously constructing three other major offshore wind farms: the Sofia offshore wind farm (1.4 GW) in the UK, the Nordseecluster (1.6 GW, with RWE holding a 51% share) off the German coast, and OranjeWind (795 MW, with RWE holding a 50% share) in the Netherlands.

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