World's First Offshore Wind Farm Dismantled

After 25 years of operation, the world's first offshore wind farm Vindeby, in Denmark, has been dismantled by Dong Energy. 

The dismantling of the 11 turbines began in March 2017. Blades, nacelle and tower were dismantled and taken down individually by a mobile crane and placed on board a jack-up vessel.

The concrete foundations were broken down on site, mainly by hydraulic demolition shears and a hydraulic hammer, but also by breaking down the concrete using milling tools. The broken-down concrete and reinforcement structures were subsequently collected.

Throughout the dismantling process, up to 20 workers have taken part in the work, which took place in periods when the weather permitted offshore work. Water depths of only two to five metres added to the challenging conditions, as only a limited selection of vessels were able to work in the area.
 
All wind turbine components and parts from the foundations were shipped to shore in Nyborg Harbour. The components will be reused as much as possible as spare parts for other wind turbines, while the blades will be reused in an innovative noise barrier concept. Prior to this, however, some of the blades will become part of a research project at DTU Risø. 

One wind turbine from Vindeby will become part of an exhibition at the Danish Museum of Energy in Bjerringbro in Jutland.