Decommissioning specialists, led by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), have produced a “pioneering” set of guidelines for the removal of offshore wind turbines that have reached the end of their useful life.
Decommissioning of the first generation of wind turbines is already in progress, and as the offshore wind industry develops, there will be a continuous turnover of units to be removed and recycled, said OEUK.
Specialists from various sectors have collaborated over the past two years on a joint initiative to apply the decommissioning knowledge and lessons learned from dismantling North Sea oil and gas platforms to the wind industry.
The guidelines provide an overview of relevant regulations and best practices for technical design and environmental protection to ensure safe and timely decommissioning in offshore wind.
Lessons from the oil and gas industry have provided valuable insights into cost-effective and time-efficient methods for decommissioning, stated OEUK.
Ensuring workforce safety and assessing a turbine’s weight and potential for floating, as well as safeguarding marine life, are all major challenges at end-of-life operations, according to the press release. OEUK also published a technical work breakdown structure to help cover these issues.
The changes to the seabed environment are said to be closely monitored throughout the lifespan of wind turbines, as these changes will influence decommissioning planning decisions.
“This industry has a proud record of meeting its decommissioning obligations while driving down cost through collaboration, innovation and long-term planning. By working with regulators, governments and policymakers, we can create excellence,” said Ricky Thomson , Decommissioning Manager at OEUK, who led the cross-sector working party that produced the guidelines.
“Decommissioning in the right way will mean future generations inherit a sector that is proud of its achievements and ready for the challenges ahead. It is not only a key part of our ongoing licence to operate but also a huge opportunity to build on our North Sea success story.“