Van Oord has installed three monopile foundations using GBM Works’ jetting solution in combination with Cape Holland’s vibro lifting tool at the Ecowende Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm. The method, designed to reduce underwater noise and limit impact on marine life, was deployed using Van Oord’s installation vessel Boreas.
GBM Works’ VibroJet technology combines vibrations with controlled water jets inside the monopile to fluidise the soil and reduce resistance. The approach is supported by the Fluidflow prediction model, which enables precise operational control based on soil conditions.
The installations were carried out together with Cape Holland’s vibro technology, which applies vertical vibrations to temporarily lower soil resistance, allowing monopiles to penetrate under their own weight.
Ecowende, a joint venture between Shell, Eneco and Chubu, is located around 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast near IJmuiden. The wind farm is expected to reach an installed capacity of approximately 760 MW and is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2026.
Van Oord is responsible for transporting and installing the foundations, laying the inter-array cables, and transporting and installing the wind turbines offshore.
