Vattenfall has announced plans to incorporate low-emission steel in the construction of 56 out of the 112 turbines at its Nordlicht offshore wind farm in the German North Sea, marking a significant step towards reducing the project's carbon footprint.
The initiative is part of Vattenfall's broader strategy to accelerate its transition to green energy and achieve substantial reductions in CO2 emissions across its supply chain.
“We are excited to start the journey to introduce low-emission steel into our projects,” stated Eva Julius-Philipp, head of environment & sustainability in Vattenfall's wind business.
The low-emission steel used in the turbines is derived entirely from steel scrap processed in electric furnaces powered by renewable energy sources. This approach slashes the carbon footprint by 66% compared to traditional steelmaking methods.
“Steel manufacturing accounts for approximately 8% of global emissions, underscoring the urgency of decarbonizing this sector,” explained Helle Herk-Hansen, vice president of environment at Vattenfall.
The move aligns with Vattenfall's commitment to the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and supports its broader efforts under the SCORE initiative launched in 2021. SCORE aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from suppliers by 50% by 2030, reflecting Vattenfall's comprehensive approach to sustainability throughout its operations.