RWE enters into partnership with Jan De Nul including long-term charter of next-generation installation vessels, securing construction of future offshore wind farms

Strong partnership: RWE has signed an agreement with Jan De Nul Group, a Luxembourg-based leading provider of key maritime services, to secure the long-term usage of two next-generation installation vessels for future offshore wind foundation and turbine construction. The charters are supported by a Service Agreement through which Jan De Nul Group will provide both in-house and market solutions and services, to support and perform installation campaigns for RWE’s offshore wind projects. Through these contracts RWE secures vessel capacities and services in a tight market.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind: “Europe needs more offshore wind power to reach its ambitious climate targets. We are already making a significant contribution and resolutely driving forward the future build-out of offshore wind in Europe and globally. Through this strategic partnership, RWE has taken a big step in securing the necessary installation vessels and services to deliver our large-scale offshore wind farms Thor and Hollandse Kust West VII, as well as further projects to come. These kinds of agreements are exactly what we need against the backdrop of the challenging market situation.”

The partnership includes the exclusive and long-term charter of the two specialist next-generation offshore installation vessels “Les Alizés” and “Voltaire”. Both can be used at RWE’s current and future offshore construction projects and, if needed, to run maintenance campaigns at its existing offshore wind fleet. “Les Alizés” has been chartered for more than five years, and is a purpose-built vessel designed for transporting, lifting and installing wind turbine foundations. With the ability to lift up to 5,000 tonnes and with a deck loading capacity of 61,000 tonnes, she is future-proofed by being capable of handling the scale and design of future foundations that will support the next generation of wind turbines. RWE plans to first deploy this vessel at its Danish offshore project Thor. Foundation installation works for this 1,000-megawatt wind farm are due to take place in 2025. “Voltaire” is the world’s largest jack-up installation vessel with a crane capacity of 3,200 tonnes and approximately 130-metre long legs. Her innovative design makes the vessel highly suitable for the installation of next generation wind farms in deep waters. She has been chartered to RWE for more than four years, from 2027 onwards. Subject to the project’s final investment decision, RWE plans to first use this vessel to install the turbines of its Hollandse Kust West VII wind farm off the Dutch coast.

Philippe Hutse, CEO of Jan De Nul Offshore Energy: “We are delighted to further step up our contribution to the worldwide energy transition through this long-term partnership. This multi-year approach creates much-desired planning security for our state-of-the-art installation vessels and will allow safe and efficient installation of a large number of offshore wind farms. We look forward to the continued cooperation with our highly valued client RWE.”

With this framework agreement, the two companies are continuing their cooperation. During 2021 and 2022, Jan De Nul Group provided installation services supporting the construction of RWE’s offshore wind farm Kaskasi off the German coast. More recently, Jan De Nul Group has been awarded with the export and inter-array cable installation scopes on RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm.