The latest renewable energy news includes announcements from Windward Offshore, Proserv, Equinor, Indexation for Wind CfDs in Germany, and others.
Windward Offshore Takes Delivery of Fourth Methanol-Ready CSOV From Vard
Windward Offshore has taken delivery of Windward Hamburg, completing its four-vessel commissioning service operation vessel fleet built by Vard for offshore wind operations. The 87.5-metre-long, 19.5-metre-wide vessel can accommodate up to 120 people and includes a helideck, motion-compensated gangway with elevator, electric motion-compensated crane and battery-hybrid propulsion. Importantly, the propulsion architecture is prepared for future operation using green methanol. Windward Hamburg joins Windward Athens, Windward Paris and Windward Munich. The first two vessels have already completed more than 14,000 personnel transfers. Delivery of the fourth CSOV gives Windward a dedicated fleet capable of supporting construction, commissioning and maintenance campaigns across Europe’s rapidly expanding offshore-wind sector.
Proserv Wins Equinor Contract for Monitoring Technology at 402 MW Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm
Proserv has secured a full deployment contract from Equinor to install its ECG cable-monitoring technology at the 402 MW Dudgeon offshore wind farm off Norfolk, UK. Deployment is scheduled to begin in 2027. Dudgeon comprises 67 turbines, is located roughly 32 km offshore, and generates enough renewable electricity for around 430,000 homes. Proserv’s monitoring platform will continuously assess critical electrical infrastructure, helping Equinor identify developing faults earlier, reduce unplanned outages and improve maintenance planning. The project combines Proserv’s ECG technology with its Dynamic Electrical Simulation capabilities, providing deeper visibility into cable and electrical-system performance. The deployment illustrates the increasing role of digital condition monitoring in protecting ageing and high-value offshore-wind infrastructure.
Germany Considers Inflation Indexation for Offshore Wind CfDs
Germany is considering introducing indexation into Contracts for Difference for offshore wind projects, a potentially significant change to the financial framework supporting future North Sea and Baltic Sea capacity. Indexation could reduce developer exposure to inflation in equipment, construction, financing and operating costs over the long development periods associated with offshore wind. The discussion comes as European developers face higher turbine, vessel, cable and financing costs and governments attempt to prevent undersubscribed or uneconomic offshore-wind auctions. Germany has ambitious offshore-wind targets and needs substantial new capacity during the 2030s. A shift toward indexed CfDs could improve project bankability and reduce the risk that winning bids later become financially unviable because of changing cost assumptions.
