Sif Group is planning to commence the production of monopile foundations for the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project next month at its Maasvlakte site in the Netherlands.
The first steel plates for the 810 Empire Wind 1 wind farm have been delivered at Sif’s Maasvlakte site, and the first transition piece (TP) is currently being manufactured in Roermond.
The Dutch company will supply 54 monopiles and TPs for the offshore wind project, located 24-48 kilometres southeast of Long Island, New York.
Sif was also responsible for manufacturing 84 monopiles for Empire Wind 2. However, the company received a notice of termination at the beginning of this year after Equinor and its former project partner, BP , terminated their Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) agreement for the 1,260 MW wind farm.
Recently, Equinor signed the OREC Purchase and Sale Agreement with the State of New York for the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind farm.
The project is already moving towards the construction phase as Equinor received final approval from the New York State Public Service Commission in May to start building the offshore wind farm.
Equinor expects to take a final investment decision on Empire Wind 1 soon and to use project financing, with financial close anticipated by the end of 2024.
The wind farm is planned to comprise Vestas 15 MW wind turbines and is expected to have a commercial lifespan of 35 years.
The initial electricity production from Empire Wind 1 is scheduled for 2026.