Danish offshore wind company Ørsted and offshore services firm ESVAGT have announced that they will be investing in a service operation vessel (SOV) that can operate on green fuels.
The investment is aligned with the companies’ efforts to boost decarbonisation of the maritime and offshore wind sectors and help create demand to drive cost reduction of green fuels.
The SOV, which hosts the crew and equipment needed to service a wind farm, will be powered by batteries and dual fuel engines, capable of sailing on e-methanol (supplied by Ørsted) produced from wind energy and biogenic carbon.
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The use of the SOV will result in an annual emissions reduction of approximately 4,500 tonnes of CO2, according to Ørsted.
ESVAGT will start building the vessel in the second quarter of 2022, with commissioning planned by the end of 2024 and service to begin at the Hornsea 2 wind farm, off the UK’s east coast.
Mark Porter, Head of Offshore Operations at Ørsted, says: “We’ve set clear targets and a clear direction towards net-zero emissions, and this new methanol-powered SOV is a tangible proof of our clear commitment to realise these targets. The agreement with ESVAGT checks many boxes for us, as it both helps decarbonise our offshore operations while also demonstrating our strong belief that green fuels based on renewable energy is the most viable solution to create a green maritime sector.”
According to Ørsted, an offshore wind farm has 99% lower emissions than a coal fired power station over the asset lifetime and this investment will help mitigate remaining emissions.
Søren Karas, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer at ESVAGT, says: “This is an important milestone with real meaningful impact on the green transition. Ørsted and ESVAGT share an ambition for a sustainable future, and as an industry leader we’re committed to taking the lead in decarbonising the maritime industry. We’re delighted and proud to be able to take this bold step together with Ørsted towards making offshore wind marine solutions fossil free with an innovative new solution.”
To further reduce emissions, Ørsted has developed several green fuel projects, three of which focus on producing e-methanol for maritime transport. The company has also implemented light hybrid crew transfer vessels for increased fuel efficiency.
ESVAGT will ensure the SOV is fully enabled by digital tools. The vessel will be equipped with a motion-compensated gangway and transfer boats, a crane to lift heavy spare parts, recreational activities for the onboard crew, individual accommodation, and a helipad.
