Background
Within the wind industry in the Northern Netherlands, various companies have joined forces. Under the name Offshore Wind Innovation Center (OWIC), the companies together ensure that they can innovate and develop in offshore wind energy more easily and faster. See www.owic-eemshaven.nl. OWIC’s focus is on service and maintenance of the wind farms. However, since its foundation in 2020, the decommissioning and end-of-life activities of wind turbines have also been discussed frequently.
Based on these discussions, a number of companies have worked on a business case for the dismantling of wind turbines, both on land and at sea, and the recycling of the composite parts. The Windesheim and NHL Stenden universities of applied sciences are involved in this to provide the necessary knowledge and research.
The business case focuses on Eemshaven as a central port for the decommissioning activities of offshore wind farms. The Eemshaven has already proved to be a good operating base for installing offshore wind turbines above the Wadden Islands and the North Sea. The construction of various new offshore wind farms has been coordinated from the Eemshaven, as well as the maintenance activities. The port is well positioned, also has the necessary infrastructure and logistics service providers to facilitate a decommissioning process.
The business case was carried out under the name Decom North and was based on an integrated approach, with focus on regulations, costs and revenues within each link and coordination of logistics and technology. The activities took place under the supervision and support of Chemport Europe.
The positive result of the business case was converted into a definitive collaboration in 2022.
