In April 2022 EnBW awarded Heerema Marine Contractors with the contract to transport and install the wind turbine foundations at the 960 MW He Dreiht offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.

The successful installation works included the transport and installation of 64 monopiles and transition pieces installed in approximately 40 meter water depth. During operations, Heerema used the  IQIP IQ6 impact hammer and the special developed T-NMS 10000 system to hold and drive the piles to depth while maintaining the noise levels within the 160 decibel as per German requirements. The monopile foundations will support Vestas’ flagship V236-15.0 MW wind turbines.

Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel (SSCV) Thialf installed all 64 WTG Monopile Foundations, with each monopile measuring approximately 70 meters in length and weighing 1,350 tons, and each transition piece being 32 meters long and weighing 670 tons. The installation was finished well within the agreed timeframe, with all activities, including full grouting, completed within 24 hours per foundation location. A key factor in our success was the dedication and expertise of our highly skilled crew aboard the Thialf, who, together with our specialized subcontractors, executed excellent installation cycles. Moreover, these cycles were made possible by the efficient operation of Thialf’s dual cranes, the significant noise reduction achieved using the innovative T-NMS-10000, and the feeder barge concept, which ensured a continuous supply of monopiles and transition pieces to the vessel. This achievement underlines Heerema's commitment to efficiency and excellence in the offshore wind sector.