Ørsted, together with its UK-based drone partner Skylift, is using FlyingBasket cargo drones to deliver safety evacuation equipment to turbines. Each drone can transport boxes weighing up to 70kg from a vessel to the nacelle, more than 100 metres above sea level.
The programme has already seen over 550 flights serving more than 400 turbines, making it the largest drone delivery initiative attempted in the offshore wind sector to date. It is also the first to carry out extensive deliveries this far from shore, with turbines located up to 75 miles at sea.
Safety equipment is being delivered across four Ørsted wind farms: Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 off the east coast of England, and Walney 1 and 2 in the Irish Sea.
Using drones for transport reduces reliance on crew transfer vessels, avoids the need to shut down turbines during delivery, lowers operational risks and decreases the number of offshore journeys required. This in turn contributes to efficiency gains and a reduction in emissions linked to support operations.
Image: Richard McCrilley/Ørsted
