Haizea Wind Group has made a significant milestone in the renewable energy sector by delivering the largest monopiles ever manufactured in Southern Europe for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the UK. This achievement is a testament to Haizea's engineering prowess and its role in driving the transition to sustainable energy sources.
The monopiles, produced at Haizea's facility at the Port of Bilbao, are colossal structures measuring over 105 meters in length, with a diameter of 11 meters and weighing more than 2,300 tonnes each. They are the largest structures ever manufactured in the Iberian Peninsula and rank among the largest monopiles produced in Europe. Haizea's capability to produce such massive monopiles positions it as the only manufacturer in Spain capable of handling such projects.
The manufacturing process involved meticulous planning and execution. Load-out operations were carried out at the Port of Bilbao with the support of Grúas Aguado, ensuring the safe and efficient handling of these massive structures. Cadeler was responsible for the load-out and load-in operations, while Mammoet handled the transport of the monopiles within the port using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs).
The Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm, located around 120 kilometers off the coast of Norfolk in the UK North Sea, is a significant project with a 2.9 GW capacity. It will comprise 197 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD offshore wind turbines, each with a capacity of 14 MW excluding power boost. The farm is expected to be operational in 2027, when it will become the world's largest single offshore wind farm, generating enough renewable electricity to power more than 3.3 million UK homes.
The project's ownership is shared by Ørsted and Apollo-managed funds, with a recent addition of Mubadala Investment Company. The involvement of these entities underscores the project's importance in the global energy transition. The monopiles, supplied by Haizea and Dajin Heavy Industry, are being installed by Cadeler's vessel Wind Ally, which started the work at the offshore project site in May this year.
Haizea's achievement in delivering these massive monopiles is a significant step forward in the development of offshore wind energy. It highlights the company's ability to push the boundaries of engineering and manufacturing, contributing to the growth of the renewable energy sector. As the world continues to seek sustainable solutions, Haizea's role in this project is a testament to its commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.
