Decommissioning experts led by Offshore Energies UK have produced a pioneering set of guidelines for the removal of offshore turbines which have reached the end of their useful life.
Decommissioning of the first generations of hardware is already in progress. As the offshore wind industry develops there will be a continuous turnover of machines to be removed and recycled.
Specialists from across the sector have spent two years on a joint exercise to adapt for the wind industry the decommissioning experience and know-how gained from removing North Sea oil and gas installations.
The guidelines provide an overview of relevant regulations and best practice for technical design and environmental protection to ensure safe and timely decommissioning in offshore wind.
Lessons from the oil and gas industry have provided valuable insights into cost-effective and time-efficient methods for decommissioning.
The removal of a wind turbine is a costly process, and the methods used by the oil and gas sector for cutting and transporting large steel components can be applied to the decommissioning of offshore machines.
Ensuring workforce safety and assessing a turbine’s weight and potential for flotation, as well as safeguarding marine life, are all major challenges at end-of-life operations. OEUK has also published a technical work breakdown structure to help cover these issues.
The changes to the seabed environment are now being closely monitored throughout the lifespan of turbines as these changes will influence decommissioning planning decisions.
Similarly, the design and development process of new wind turbines must take these changes into account, the guidelines say.
Decommissioning manager at OEUK Ricky Thomson said: “We are doing amazing things to unlock our sustainable future and deliver the integrated energy system that we all want to see.
“This industry has a proud record of meeting its decommissioning obligations while driving down cost through collaboration, innovation and long-term planning.
“The work we do today is critical not only for the communities and industries that rely on our sector – but also for the generations that will follow.
“Decommissioning in the right way will mean future generations inherit a sector that is proud of its achievements and ready for the challenges ahead.
“It is not only a key part of our ongoing licence to operate but also a huge opportunity to build on our North Sea success story.”