Dutch offshore wind foundation manufacturer Sif Group has delayed the full ramp-up of production at its new Maasvlakte 2 facility in Rotterdam by up to nine months, with full output now expected in the first half of 2026.
The company attributed the extended timeline to the need for additional workforce training, equipment optimisation, and improvements in production processes at the newly expanded site.
“The time required to ramp up production will continue into the first half year of 2026,” Chief Executive Fred van Beers said. “This results in lower output in 2025 than originally anticipated, and a delay of 6–9 months compared to the original business case.”
Sif maintained delivery commitments during the period, supplying monopile foundations for the Empire Wind project within specified timelines. Its Roermond facility produced transition pieces and top sections for projects including Empire Wind 1, Ecowende, and Baltyk.
Van Beers said the company is prioritising operational stability over short-term financial performance.
“Rather than focusing on the alternative of short-term EBITDA maximisation, our focus now is achieving robust and stable operations, and taking the time needed to implement the right industrialisation measures,” he said.
Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell to €12.9 million in the first half of 2025, down from €26.1 million in the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose to €258 million from €231 million in 2024, supported by €64 million from offshore wind foundations, €10.6 million from offshore structures, and €5.4 million from other services.
Sif revised its full-year adjusted EBITDA outlook for 2025 to €45 million, but reaffirmed its target of at least €160 million in annualised run-rate EBITDA from 2026. It also issued provisional minimum guidance of €135 million for that year.
The company produced 80 kilotonnes of steel foundations in the first half of 2025, including 44 monopiles and 34 transition pieces, compared with 86 kilotonnes in the same period last year. The output corresponds to 529 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, down from 773 megawatts in 2024.
To support its ramp-up efforts, Sif has appointed a new chief operating officer to oversee day-to-day operations, while the current COO focuses on completing the technical aspects of the expansion. External experts and equipment providers are also assisting in a production process overhaul aimed at improving stability at Maasvlakte 2.
Despite short-term market headwinds, Van Beers said the company sees a more favourable environment from 2028 onwards.
“We remain confident in the medium to long-term outlook for the offshore wind market but expect a further offshore wind project development slowdown short term mainly due to non-market conform tender criteria, grid congestion and prices for electricity,” he said.
Sif’s order book stood at 625 kilotonnes as of the end of August, up from 435 kilotonnes a year earlier. This includes 200 kilotonnes of projects scheduled for 2027 and 2028 that have moved into exclusive negotiations.
“Our confidence in the medium to long-term outlook for the offshore wind market is further underpinned by this addition to the orderbook,” Van Beers added. “Based on the actual progress of the actions being undertaken and the output during the second half of 2025, we will provide further guidance towards the end of the year.”
