The first of 72 monopile foundations for RWE’s 1.1GW Thor offshore wind farm has been installed in the Danish North Sea. Located around 22 kilometres off the west coast of Jutland, the monopiles were transported from the heavy-lift terminal in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, and installed by the vessel Les Alizés.
Each shipment can carry up to five monopiles, which measure approximately 100 metres in length and weigh up to 1,500 metric tons. Secondary steel structures for the foundations are being managed from the Port of Thyborøn, which serves as the offshore construction base and home port for the project's service vessels. Thyborøn is also the location of the control centre overseeing marine logistics and offshore construction traffic. To protect the monopiles before turbine towers are installed, reused hard covers will be fitted. Of the 72 turbines, 36 will feature carbon dioxide-reduced steel towers, while 40 will be fitted with recyclable rotor blades. Turbine installation is planned to begin in 2026 from the Port of Esbjerg, with the wind farm expected to become fully operational in 2027.
(image courtesy RWE)
