The OranjeWind offshore wind project, a joint venture between RWE and TotalEnergies, has successfully installed its first monopile in the Dutch North Sea, marking a major milestone in the development of the project. Installation of all 53 monopile foundations is expected to be completed by early 2027.

Located approximately 53 kilometres off the coast of IJmuiden, OranjeWind is being developed to support the Netherlands’ renewable electricity supply while integrating innovative solutions for grid stability and energy storage.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, said the installation marks the point at which the project moves from years of planning into construction. He highlighted the contribution of the project team and supply chain partners and said OranjeWind would take the first steps toward delivering renewable energy to the Netherlands.

The project is using transition piece-less monopile foundations, allowing the wind turbines to be bolted directly onto the top flange of the monopiles without the need for separate transition pieces. According to the project partners, the design reduces the amount of steel required. Each monopile will be approximately 90 metres long and 8 metres in diameter, while secondary steel components, including main access platforms, internal cassettes and boat landings, will be installed separately.

The first monopile was transported from Sif’s terminal at Maasvlakte near Rotterdam to the offshore construction site aboard Jan De Nul’s installation vessel Les Alizés. The vessel operates under a long-term charter arrangement between Jan De Nul and RWE.

The Les Alizés is equipped with a 5,000-tonne crane capable of reaching 160 metres at full height. Using dynamic positioning, the vessel places the monopiles accurately before they are driven into the seabed using a hydraulic impact hammer.

The vessel also features advanced emissions-control technology and carries an Ultra-Low Emissions Vessel notation. Its onboard systems are designed to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and fine particle emissions during offshore operations.

To minimise the impact of piling noise on marine life, the OranjeWind project is deploying a bubble curtain around the piling location. Compressed air is pumped through a hose to create a wall of bubbles that absorbs and reflects sound waves. Noise levels will also be measured outside the bubble curtain to verify compliance with applicable limits.

Olivier Jouny, Senior Vice President Renewables at TotalEnergies, said the first monopile installation represents an important milestone for OranjeWind and supports the company’s ambition to develop an integrated power business in Europe. He added that the project will contribute to renewable electricity generation in the Netherlands while supporting TotalEnergies’ decarbonisation efforts through the production of green hydrogen for its refineries in Northern Europe.

With the first foundation now installed, construction of the 53-turbine OranjeWind offshore wind farm is progressing toward its planned completion, with all monopiles targeted for installation by early 2027.