Van Oord has successfully installed the first monopile at the Ecowende offshore wind farm, a significant achievement for both the company and the project. According to Tjalling de Bruin, CEO of Ecowende, this step brings the wind farm closer to its completion while providing an opportunity to test new installation techniques that minimize underwater noise, an important consideration for marine life.

The installation was carried out by Boreas, Van Oord‘s advanced offshore wind installation vessel. Boreas features a powerful 3,310-tonne crane and cutting-edge technology that reduces emissions, including the use of methanol to lower the vessel’s environmental impact. In addition to its emissions-reducing technologies, Boreas is equipped with low-noise positioning and installation systems that help reduce disturbance to the surrounding marine environment, aligning with the ecological goals of projects like Ecowende.

The Ecowende wind farm will include monopiles in two different diameters (8.8m and 9.3m), both supplied by Sif Group. These monopiles are designed to accommodate different turbine heights, enabling better adaptability for varying wind conditions. Research has shown that taller turbines are safer for birds, reducing the risk of collisions by helping them fly above the structures. Monitoring bird behavior and collision rates will be an ongoing process throughout the construction and operational phases to gain valuable insights into nature-inclusive offshore wind development.