NLMK DanSteel supplies plates for European wind turbine foundation experiments

NLMK DanSteel A/S has supplied 200 tonnes of plate steel to the PISA Project, a European research and development programme. The high-strength steel will be used for the construction of experimental foundations for offshore wind turbines.

According to NLMK, the aim of the project is to improve the construction of foundations for offshore wind turbines in order to reduce cost and raise the investment appeal of wind power.

Other Danish companies involved in the project include Dong Energy and Bladt Industries A/S.

The PISA project is carried out by the UK Carbon Trust as part of the Offshore Wind Accelerator programme (OWA), which is aimed at promoting offshore wind generation and reducing the cost of wind energy.

Assembly and testing of the foundations for offshore wind turbines using steel manufactured by DanSteel take place this month (September). Experiments will be held in Cowden in the UK and at Dunkirk in France and the results will be used to develop an industrial prototype for the new type of offshore wind turbine foundations by the year end.

NLMK DanSteel joined the European programme aimed at improving the construction of offshore wind turbines in May this year and is the only supplier of thick plates of special dimensions made from high-strength steel.