Sif Holding announced the successful manufacture of the first monopile for Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 project. This achievement marks the debut of the newly expanded production facilities at Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam. The completed monopile is the first of 54 units planned for this ambitious project, and it rolled off the production line on November 28, 2024.
This progress follows Sif’s bold decision in February 2023 to invest €328 million in expanding its production capabilities at Maasvlakte 2. Empire Offshore Wind played a key role in supporting this venture, committing €50 million in advanced payments as part of the financing package. As a result, the project was delivered on time and within budget, demonstrating meticulous planning and execution.
The expanded facilities began operations in August 2024, with one of three production lines coming online. Meanwhile, transition pieces for Empire Wind are being produced at Sif’s Roermond facility, showcasing the company’s multi-location manufacturing strategy.
The monopiles and transition pieces are slated for completion by early 2025, with plans to transport them to the United States for offshore installation near New York. The Empire Wind 1 project, spearheaded by Equinor, is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing renewable energy capacity in the region, aligning with global goals for clean energy transitions.
Fred van Beers, CEO of Sif Holding, expressed his enthusiasm about this accomplishment, saying, “It is with great pleasure that we could deliver the first of 54 monopiles for Empire Wind 1 to our client Equinor. Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, we have achieved this important step in Sif’s history. We will now focus on getting the facilities up to speed to manufacture approximately 200 monopiles per year.”
He emphasized the high-quality standards achieved in production, noting that the first product met stringent tolerance measurements. Van Beers also highlighted the expanded facilities’ critical role in solidifying Sif’s position as a market leader in offshore wind energy foundations, underscoring their contribution to the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
As global demand for offshore wind energy solutions surges, Sif’s timely investment in enhanced production capacity positions it as a key player in advancing the energy transition. With its expanded facilities fully operational, the company is set to meet growing industry needs and support the delivery of transformative renewable energy projects like Empire Wind.
