Vestas will build the first offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea, Baltic Power, in Poland, where 52 of the 76 turbine towers will be made of low-carbon steel.
The capacity of the wind farm will reach 1.2 GW, which will provide electricity to more than 1.5 million families, the press service of ArcelorMittal reports.
It is noted that Vestas has entered into a partnership with ArcelorMittal to supply XCarb steel to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the production of wind turbine towers. ArcelorMittal produces this steel in Belgium entirely from scrap, which is melted in an electric arc furnace that is 100% powered by wind energy.
The press service said that ArcelorMittal is the only steelmaker that produces low-carbon steel plates in large sizes (up to 18 tons). This minimizes the need for welding and associated CO2 emissions.
The message emphasized that steel and iron make up 80-90% of the material mass of a wind turbine and create approximately 50% of emissions during its entire life cycle. Thanks to the collaboration, Vestas can achieve a 66% reduction in emission intensity per kg of steel compared to traditional steel.
Baltic Power CEO Yaroslav Broda called the project a pioneer of a sustainable future in the renewable energy sector. After all, it is the largest investment in renewable energy sources in Eastern Europe and sets new standards.
It is noted that the construction of the Baltic Power wind power plant will begin in 2025. The wind farm is planned to be launched in 2026.
"This partnership sends a clear message that it is possible today to start building the renewable energy infrastructure needed in Europe with low-carbon steel manufactured with a European supply chain," said ArcelorMittal Europe Industrial Marketing Director – Flat Products Laurent Plassman .- Thanks to the strengthening of public policy to support the use of low-carbon steel in the construction of renewable infrastructure, this project could be the first of many to bring wind power to homes and industry across Europe."
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in Spain, a Seaworthy pilot platform will be built on the coast of Las Palmas, which will consist of a 4.3 MW wind turbine, a 0.8 MW wave energy converter, as well as capacity for the production and storage of green hydrogen.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, a study by the European Wind Energy Association showed that in 2023, 17 GW of new wind power capacity, including 14 GW of onshore and 3 GW of offshore wind turbines, will be launched in the EU.
