The first eight monopile foundations for RWE’s 1GW Thor offshore wind project have arrived at Eemshaven port in the Netherlands.
The monopiles, weighing up to 1500 tons each, have been unloaded and stored in the base port in Eemshaven.
The terminal operator, which belongs to the Hamburg-based company Buss Ports, provides storage space, the equipment and personnel required in the port and is also responsible for port logistics.
In spring 2025, a total of 72 foundations will be transported from the Dutch heavy-duty terminal in Eemshaven to the construction site at sea, 22 kilometres off the west coast of Jutland in the Danish North Sea.
Thomas Michel, COO RWE Offshore Wind, said: “The arrival of the first foundations at the base port marks an important milestone in the implementation of our Thor project – Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm to date.
“The construction of offshore wind farms requires huge storage areas and a special port infrastructure to handle the heavy components.
“Such port capacities are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
“We are therefore pleased that we were able to secure the Buss Terminal.
“The infrastructure in Eemshaven is ideal, as we were able to see for ourselves during the construction of our Kaskasi offshore wind farm.”
Marc Wegman, Managing Director Buss Terminal Eemshaven, added: “We are proud to be working with RWE on another major offshore wind project.
“Our qualified employees will ensure a smooth and safe handling process at our state-of-the-art terminal in Eemshaven, where safety is always the top priority.”
The installation of the wind turbines is to take place from the Danish port of Esbjerg from 2026.
The Danish port of Thorsminde will be the base for the subsequent operation and maintenance of the wind farm.
Construction of a new RWE service building is to begin there this year.
In the long term, 50 to 60 jobs are to be created locally.
Thor is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027 at the latest.