In a pioneering move towards achieving net-zero wind farms, global renewable energy leaders Ørsted and Vestas have announced a commercial sustainability partnership. The partnership will see Ørsted procure low-carbon steel wind turbine towers and blades made from recycled materials from Vestas for all their joint offshore wind projects.
The role of offshore wind in enhancing energy security, promoting affordable energy for all, and curbing the climate crisis is undeniable. Wind energy currently boasts a 99% lower carbon footprint than coal. However, the journey to net-zero necessitates a reduction in the carbon emissions from the manufacturing of materials and components used in wind farms. This demand for decarbonisation and circularity in the wind industry is increasingly echoed by consumers of renewable energy and policymakers.
To meet this demand, Ørsted and Vestas have committed to installing low-carbon steel towers and, when commercially available, blades made from recycled materials at all future joint offshore wind farms. This commitment to integrate sustainable procurement in all future offshore projects between the two companies creates an ongoing demand for Vestas’ innovative low-carbon and circular solutions.
Mads Nipper, Group President and CEO of Ørsted, stated, “There’s no playing defence when it comes to climate change. And no progress without partnerships. That’s why we at Ørsted are very proud to partner with Vestas to integrate and scale cutting-edge decarbonisation and circularity solutions to meet future customer demands for net-zero wind farms. Together with Vestas, we’re leading the industry towards net-zero, and I urge decision-makers across the globe to also take action and help drive demand for low-carbon and circular solutions within renewable energy.“
Echoing this sentiment, Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, said, “The energy transition requires unprecedented scale and pace, and we need strong partnerships between leading companies and industries to succeed. We are excited to partner with Ørsted to expedite the deployment of our cutting-edge circular blade recycling technology and foster the demand for low-carbon steel in the wind industry’s supply chain. This partnership is a leap forward for developing circular wind power projects and sends a powerful message that commercial agreements and collaboration are vital in our urgent fight against the climate crisis.”
The partnership will ensure that at least 25% of low-carbon steel towers are procured and installed in joint projects. Over recent years, Vestas has led cross-industrial collaboration to establish the availability of low-carbon steel for wind turbine towers. This partnership sends a strong demand signal to the steel industry to further accelerate the scaling of cost-competitive decarbonised steel for offshore wind. By utilising scrap steel manufactured with on-site renewable electricity, carbon emissions from heavy steel plates used in towers can be reduced by up to 70%.
Furthermore, the partnership will scale circular blade recycling technology and procure blades made from recycled materials. Vestas and its partners in the CETEC project have pioneered the first solution to break down composite materials in both existing and future epoxy-based blades and use the recovered epoxy resin for new blades. This addresses the industry’s biggest circularity challenge, namely the recycling of blades at their end-of-life. Vestas is currently scaling up the circular recycling value chain together with its partners Olin and Stena Recycling. When ready for commercial manufacturing, Ørsted will procure wind turbines blades made from recycled materials from Vestas to further accelerate the scaling of the technology.
This partnership builds on Vestas’ previous efforts to end landfill for turbine blades, as reported by Baltic Wind. Vestas had unveiled a circularity solution to recycle turbine blades, a significant step towards achieving sustainability in the wind energy sector.
Moreover, Vestas’ recent acquisition of ST3 Offshore, a manufacturer of steel foundations for offshore wind farms, as reported by Baltic Wind, further strengthens its commitment to sustainable and innovative solutions in the wind industry. The acquisition, worth more than 170 million PLN, marked the end of a series of tenders for ST3 Offshore since 2020, when the company was declared bankrupt.
This partnership between Ørsted and Vestas is a significant stride towards achieving net-zero wind farms and sets a precedent for other companies in the renewable energy sector. By integrating sustainable procurement and innovative solutions, the partnership is leading the industry towards a sustainable and circular future.
Source: Orsted.com & BalticWind.EU
