Vattenfall is set to invite tenders for the decommissioning of Alpha Ventus, according to an early notice on a European tender platform. Participants of the RAVE (Research at Alpha Ventus) initiative have also started finalRAVE, a sub-project focusing on the wind farm’s last phase and dismantling.
The notice from Vattenfall, a co-owner of the project, indicates that decommissioning could begin in early 2027, with the potential for a 2028 start. The contract will include dismantling the twelve wind turbines at the Alpha Ventus offshore wind site, requiring rotor-nacelle assembly and tower removal, offshore transport, and all necessary vessels, equipment, and personnel.
Additionally, the contract will cover load-in and onshore handling, requiring port facilities and services, and managing the onshore processing of turbine components and waste. This phase will involve temporary storage, transport, and facilities for final disposal.
For disposal, project owners aim to reuse, recycle, and recover energy from materials. The contractor will also mark the foundations remaining post-turbine removal.
The RAVE research initiative, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) with over EUR 120 million, is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES). Established to conduct research on Alpha Ventus, Germany’s first offshore wind farm, RAVE has involved more than 60 partners from science and industry in over 35 projects related to environmental impact and offshore wind farm optimization since 2008.
News of the 60 MW Alpha Ventus, operational since 2010, being dismantled surfaced early this year when a German media outlet highlighted that consortium members EWE (47.5%), RWE (26.25%), and Vattenfall (26.25%) were contemplating next steps, with decommissioning among the options.
This development drew attention as the project, 15 years old and past its subsidy period, has fulfilled its test field purpose according to EWE and RWE. The decommissioning will contribute to industry knowledge, which has limited experience in wind farm dismantling.
Located 45 kilometers north of Borkum in the North Sea, Alpha Ventus comprises six Adwen AD 5-116 and six Senvion 5M wind turbines.
Follow offshoreWIND.biz on:
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz