Danish offshore wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will pilot the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for helicopters transporting technicians and jack-up vessel crew at the Baltic Eagle Wind Farm in the Baltic Sea. The helicopters will be partially powered by SAF while traveling to and from Iberdrola’s Baltic Eagle wind farm during the construction phase of 50 offshore wind turbines. SAF, produced from bio-waste materials such as used cooking oil or tallow, is considered a more sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel due to its potential to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel. The pilot project is scheduled to run until September 2024.
Helicopter service provider HeliService will use Leonardo helicopters flying on approximately 40% SAF, supplied by DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark. This blend rate is among the highest permitted today and marks the first use of SAF-fueled helicopters with such a high blend rate for an entire phase of offshore wind farm construction. Expected CO2 savings of approximately 32% per flight are anticipated compared to using standard helicopters powered by conventional jet fuel. Vestas will evaluate the impact of SAF following the pilot project’s conclusion. This initiative aligns with Vestas’ sustainability strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030 and reduce supply chain emissions by 45% per MWh generated.
Offshore wind projects generally experience higher CO2 emissions from construction and service operations than onshore projects due to the need for vessels and helicopters. Vestas aims to develop new solutions to achieve carbon neutrality in offshore wind operations. “This initiative reflects Vestas’ commitment to its sustainability strategy. There is a significant need for more sustainable solutions during the construction and operation phases of wind farms. The potential for using SAF in offshore operations is high, and we are pleased to explore this further,” said Kieran Walsh, Senior Vice President and Head of Construction at Vestas Northern & Central Europe.
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