Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S (CPH:VWS) has entered into a collaboration with ArcelorMittal, utilizing low-carbon recycled steel from the steel major for constructing turbine towers in the 1,140 MW Baltic Power offshore wind project in Poland.
This marks a significant milestone as the Baltic Power project becomes the first to incorporate upper sections of wind turbine towers constructed using recycled and sustainably produced heavy plate steel, courtesy of the partnership between Vestas and ArcelorMittal.
The recycled steel employed in this initiative is produced by melting steel scrap in an electric arc furnace, exclusively powered by wind energy, at ArcelorMittal's steel mill in Belgium. Following this eco-friendly process, the steel slabs are transformed into heavy plates used in the production of wind turbine towers at ArcelorMittal's heavy plate mill in Gijon, Spain.
According to ArcelorMittal, the use of recycled steel in the top section of offshore wind towers and entire onshore wind turbine towers leads to a commendable reduction in carbon emissions by 25% and 52%, respectively, compared to towers constructed with steel from conventional steelmaking processes.
Vestas had previously secured a firm contract to deliver, install, and commission 76 units of its V236-15.0 MW wind turbine for the Baltic Power project in September. Developed by Polish oil refiner PKN Orlen and Canada's Northland Power Inc, the project received a final investment decision (FID) in October, with commissioning scheduled for 2026.
