Offshore construction at the Dutch OranjeWind project has moved into its first execution phase, with seabed preparation now underway ahead of foundation installation. The campaign marks the start of offshore works at the Hollandse Kust West VII site, where erosion protection is being placed before the main build-out continues later this year.
According to OranjeWind, the joint venture between RWE and TotalEnergies, the current scope covers the installation of the filter layer that will support the next offshore construction steps. This first layer of protection is required before 53 foundations can be installed at the wind farm site.
The rock installation vessel Simon Stevin is carrying out the work. Filter layer rock is loaded in Norway and then transported to the project area, around 53 km off IJmuiden. At site, the vessel places the material at designated positions through a vertical drop pipe. The campaign is scheduled for completion in May.
Matthias Esken, Project Director at OranjeWind, said the first construction activities had started in line with the plan after months of preparation. He added that foundation installation and cable installation would follow later in 2026.
The wind farm will feature 53 V236-15 MW turbines from Vestas on monopile foundations to be produced by Sif. Inter-array cables will be supplied by TKF. Foundation and turbine installation are set to be performed by Jan De Nul using the heavy lift vessel Les Alizés and the jack-up installation vessel Voltaire, while DEME will handle the inter-array cable installation. OranjeWind is expected to be fully commissioned in early 2028.
