As part of an EU tendering process initiated by EWE Offshore Service and Solutions GmbH (EWE OSS), Deutsche Windtechnik was awarded the contract to provide maintenance for 30 Siemens SWT-3.6-120 wind turbines at the Riffgat offshore wind farm. The contract begins in June 2019. The two companies have been working together closely for more than two years at the offshore wind farm alpha ventus, and their cooperation will now continue at the Riffgat offshore wind farm as a result of the EU tender. The contract includes basic maintenance, troubleshooting, remote fault elimination, spare parts management, maintenance of safety equipment and testing of electrical equipment in accordance with DGUV V3.

This makes Deutsche Windtechnik, which operates independently from manufacturers, the first ISP (Independent Service Provider) in the world to provide maintenance for Siemens SWT-3.6 turbines. "We are very pleased to be able to provide the service for this great system technology. Utilising synergies and planning for the long-term enable operators to save significant costs with us. This also applies to the Borkum Cluster that EWE OSS is planning. Deutsche Windtechnik is an optimal service partner that delivers customised added value from Borkum/Emden to customers who are active in the Borkum Cluster," said Jens Landwehr, Managing Director of Deutsche Windtechnik Offshore und Consulting GmbH. By the year 2021, several hundred turbines with an output of almost 6,000 megawatts will no longer be covered by the manufacturer's guarantee. Martin Swart, Senior Manager of the Engineering Department for Siemens turbines at Deutsche Windtechnik Service, added: "Our comprehensive experience with nearly 4,000 wind turbines on land, including more than 700 wind turbines with AN Bonus / Siemens technology, and our many years of offshore experience mean that we are also well equipped for turbine maintenance at sea. In addition to providing maintenance for the turbines, we are also responsible for any repairs and the replacement of large components."

Prospects for a growing partnership in the Borkum cluster

The Riffgat offshore wind farm, which was built by EWE in 2013, is the first commercially operated wind farm in the German North Sea. In addition to its own offshore activities, EWE also makes its expertise in the construction and operation of offshore wind farms and substations available to international customers. "Deutsche Windtechnik has comprehensive experience in providing technical maintenance for wind turbines. This perfectly complements our own strengths, and the EU tender is enabling us to jointly and cost-effectively promote offshore wind energy north of Borkum. We would be willing to look into including further offshore wind farms north of Borkum in our service cooperation in the future," said Dirk Warnecke, Head of Asset Management Wind Offshore at EWE Offshore Service & Solutions GmbH.