Offshore wind turbine foundations

An advanced, customized rubber seal developed by MT Højgaard was one of the most important components when we built 25 giant offshore wind turbine foundations on Burbo Bank off the west coast of Britain in 2006

The seals needed to be flexible as well as sturdy enough to carry the 22 tons of rapid drying grout required to cast the two piles which form the completed foundation. If the seals had failed, the grout would have flowed straight out onto the seabed. But naturally, they hold rock solid.

Several customized solutions

The rubber seal is just one of many customized parts we have developed in our years of work with offshore wind turbine foundations. We have also developed an ingenious hydraulic system, requiring just one operator, to ensure that the giant foundations are correctly positioned.

And we have played an influential role in developing the techniques and equipment required to drive piles weighing several hundred tons, 20 metres into the seabed – with such precision that the tower has a vertical tolerance of no more than 0.25°.

The world’s most experienced contractor in the field

The construction of Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm greatly benefited from the substantial experience we have gained in recent years. In fact MT Højgaard is the world’s most experienced contractor within offshore wind turbine foundations.

In 2002 our experience began with the offshore wind farm on Horns Rev, 14-20 kilometres off the west coast of Denmark. By the end of 2008 we have installed foundations for seven offshore wind farms. All projects are based on the same concept.