Global workshop calls for safe decommissioning of offshore wind infrastructure

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This page was published on 03/12/2024

wind mill turbines in the ocean aerial view

In November, Engineering X launched a workshop report, highlighting four priority areas for action to ensure safe practice when offshore wind reaches the end of its design life.

Read the full report

How do we make offshore wind safer and more sustainable at its end of life?

Offshore wind plays a key role in achieving net zero targets and its rapid growth in recent years has brought much-needed green energy. However, the mechanisms for dealing with offshore wind infrastructure at the end of its design life are often overlooked.

In May 2024, Engineering X – a partnership between the Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation – hosted a two-day global, cross-sectoral workshop focused on the safe and sustainable decommissioning of offshore wind infrastructure. Experts from across industry, academia, government and other sectors were in attendance, representing regions with established offshore wind infrastructure as well as emerging offshore wind markets.

This month, a post-workshop report was launched with the key messages and recommendations for best putting this issue on the global agenda, surfaced during the workshop. In total there are 39 recommendations for stakeholders in the offshore wind sector and the report calls for a collaborative, global and inclusive systems approach.

Four areas for action

The report highlights key challenges and opportunities in the current system. It calls on cross-sector stakeholders to action recommendations in four key areas.

Coordination - Coordinate and work together for safe, sustainable, and effective end-of-life management that is mindful of impacts worldwide and contextual differences.
Regulation - Address gaps in regulation by developing more appropriate and agile regulation while ensuring international coherence which allows for appropriate planning and the development of safe and sustainable approaches.
Supply chains - Proactively develop international circular end-of-life supply chains that engage and prepare suppliers in existing and emerging offshore wind markets.
End-of-life processes - Advance full-circle technology and processes for end of life implemented by a well-trained workforce that can monitor, maintain, replace, and dismantle components safely.

Reflecting on the scale, diminishing timelines, and categorical urgency of end-of-life projects, the report emphasises that we must act swiftly and collaboratively to ensure the safe and sustainable management of offshore wind infrastructure at the end of its design life.

This work forms part of the wider Engineering X Safer End of Engineered Life programme’s focus on enhancing safety in the decommissioning of offshore infrastructure and ships. For further information about this initiative, contact Ann-Sophie Freund, Programme Manager for Safer End of Engineered Life: [email protected].