Heerema Marine Contractors has completed the installation of 64 monopile foundations for the He Dreiht Offshore Windfarm, Germany’s largest offshore wind farm.

The company’s Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel (SSCV) Thialf was used to install the foundations, each measuring approximately 70 meters in length and weighing 1,350 tons. The installation process, including full grouting, was completed within 24 hours per foundation location.

Heerema’s success in this project can be attributed to the dedication and expertise of its crew, as well as the efficient operation of Thialf’s dual cranes and the innovative T-NMS-10000 noise reduction system. The feeder barge concept also played a crucial role in ensuring a continuous supply of monopiles and transition pieces to the vessel.

“I am incredibly proud of our onshore and offshore teams for making this project a success, demonstrating Heerema’s precision and efficiency in complex installations. Thanks to the trust and cooperation of our client ENBW, we’ve set a new benchmark for future monopile projects regarding performance and environmental standards. We look forward to continuing our leadership in the industry with a strong commitment to making the impossible possible offshore,” Heerema’s Chief Operational Officer Michel Hendriks said.

Jörn Däinghaus, project director for He Dreiht at EnBW said, “We are very pleased that our joint planning with Heerema Marine Contractors has enabled such an efficient and smooth installation of the foundations. This is a key milestone for every offshore wind project. The collaboration on board the Thialf during the installation of the foundations was outstanding. The teams worked together in a very professional and committed manner, which contributed significantly to the success of this project. Together, we have thus taken another important step towards a more sustainable energy supply.”

Once completed, the He Dreiht Offshore Windfarm is expected to have a capacity of over 960 megawatts, enough to power approximately 1.1 million households in Germany.

The project is a significant contribution to Germany’s energy transition and aligns with the European Union’s broader goals of increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.