Vattenfall Starts First Ever Offshore Wind Farm Dismantling

Sweden’s Vattenfall has started dismantling the 10MW Yttre Stengrund offshore wind farm after thirteen years of operating in the waters of Kalmar Sound, the company confirmed to Offshore WIND.

Yttre Stengrund consisted of five 2MW NEG Micon turbines. Only 50 of such turbines were ever made.

The last turbine at Yttre Stengrund stopped turning on 2 November. The four other wind turbines had not been operating for some time prior to November 2, as it was not economically viable to repair or replace them.

“The turbines, rotors and nacelle must be dismantled first. The foundations will be cut off level with the sea bed. The cables will be removed some time next summer. Once that has been done we will conclude the project,” Maria Hassel, the project manager for the dismantling of Yttre Stengrund, said.

Vattenfall is the first company in the world to dismantle an offshore wind farm which has come to the end of its useful life. The company will not replace the old turbines with new ones after the decommissioning.

Vattenfall/Nuon have also decided to dismantle the Lely wind farm, which is located in Lake Yssel in the Netherlands. The wind farm consists of four 500kW turbines and was first commissioned in 1994.

“We are in contact with that project and are sharing our experiences step by step as the project proceeds,” said Hassel.

Offshore WIND Staff;