EEW has launched a decommissioning strategy for offshore wind after completing its first full monopile dismantling project, involving unused foundations from the cancelled Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects in the United States.
The company said dismantling and recycling offshore wind foundations will become increasingly important as many European wind farms approach the end of their typical 20–25 year operating lifespans.
Christoph Schorge, managing director of the EEW Group, said the company has been developing technologies and concepts for professional dismantling and recycling of foundations for some time.
The operator of Ocean Wind 1 and 2 commissioned EEW to dismantle the monopiles after tests confirmed the structures could not be repurposed because of their site-specific design.
Dismantling was carried out across two EEW locations. Twenty-five foundations totalling about 37,500 tonnes were processed in the US, while a further 66 sections weighing around 35,000 tonnes were handled at EEW’s Rostock facility in Germany.
Schorge said EEW is the first company in the offshore wind sector to execute a foundation dismantling project, drawing on its long-standing experience in monopile design and manufacturing. He added that a detailed work plan was developed to manage safety, weight distribution and material behaviour when handling large steel components.
Martin Blodow, HSE manager at EEW SPC, said modern robotic technology and strict safety standards were used to minimise risks during the dismantling process.
At Rostock, dismantling was performed by EEW personnel, while work in the US was carried out by a subcontractor operating under EEW procedures.
EEW said the monopiles were cut into steel sections suitable for processing and full remelting, describing the project as the first offshore wind initiative to fully comply with circular economy principles.
Blodow said reusing steel in this way significantly reduces emissions compared with primary steel production.
Schorge added that experience gained from the project positions EEW to support future decommissioning as the first generation of European offshore wind farms approaches the end of its service life.
