Global Maritime was selected to execute the decommissioning of the TetraSpar Demonstrator project, an installation recognized as the first large-scale demonstration of an industrialized offshore foundation for floating wind.
The operation will take place in Norway and includes both offshore work and onshore activities.
For now, the TetraSpar project has been operating since 2021 at the Marine Energy Test Centre, off Karmøy. The unit belongs to TetraSpar Demonstrator ApS and is supported by TEPCO Renewable Power, RWE, and Stiesdal. Its configuration includes a TetraSub floating foundation, a tetrahedral steel structure, and a 3.6 MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbine.
The value of the TetraSpar Demonstrator for floating wind
In addition to the unit’s removal, the decommissioning will allow for a detailed inspection of the submerged structure after almost five years of operation. This process will be key to obtaining field technical data that will help verify the performance of the commercial TetraSub base developed by Stiesdal Offshore.
Likewise, the initiative marks a significant stage in the lifecycle of offshore projects. Instead of focusing solely on commissioning and operation, the work opens up space to evaluate how floating systems behave in their final phase and what lessons can be transferred to future commercial designs.
According to the agreement, Global Maritime will assume full management of the decommissioning project. The scope includes comprehensive direction, engineering, procurement, and operational execution, with the aim of maintaining safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility criteria throughout all phases of the process.
How will the floating structure be removed?
In the offshore phase, work will begin with the disconnection, recovery, and handling of key subsea components. These include the inter-array cable and the station-keeping system, which will be removed and prepared for transport to appropriate recycling streams.
Later, the complete TetraSpar structure will be towed to a deep, sheltered location for temporary mooring. Keel handling tasks and controlled de-ballasting operations will then be carried out before bringing the assembly to port for docking.
Once onshore, the project will proceed with the systematic dismantling of the main components. The wind turbine will be disassembled, and both the nacelle and rotor will be sent to facilities designated by the manufacturer.
Meanwhile, the tower sections, keel, and float will undergo material segregation processes, marine growth removal, waste treatment, and industrial recycling.
For this stage, Global Maritime will work with Semco Maritime as a subcontractor at the Hanøytangen shipyard. This collaboration will provide specialized capabilities in material handling, waste management, and component recovery.
In the words of Rolf Åge Mcintyre Vågen, Global Maritime’s Director of Marine Operations, the appointment reflects the company’s capability in marine operations and its growing participation in offshore renewable projects, as well as representing an opportunity to contribute to the full lifecycle of innovative offshore energy solutions.
Source and photo: Global Maritime via LinkedIn