Vestas is piloting sustainable aviation fuel at the Baltic Eagle wind farm

Vestas is set to pilot the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Baltic Eagle wind farm in the Baltic Sea in 2024. This innovative project involves the use of helicopters powered in part by SAF to transport Vestas technicians and jack-up ship crew during the construction of 50 offshore turbines wind farms.

Produced from bio-waste such as used cooking oil or tallow, SAF provides a more sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel, significantly reducing the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel.

Under the pilot project, scheduled to run until September 2024, Leonardo Spa helicopters operated by HeliService will fly on approximately 40% SAF provided by DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark A/S. This mixing ratio is one of the highest currently permitted and is the first time SAF-fueled helicopters with such a high mixing ratio have been used during the construction phase of an offshore wind farm.

Vestas anticipates reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 32 percent per flight compared to helicopters powered by conventional jet fuel. The impact of JPK on the project will be assessed after the pilot is completed.

This initiative is part of Vestas’ sustainability strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030 and reduce supply chain emissions by 45% for every megawatt hour generated.

Offshore wind projects typically generate higher CO2 emissions during construction and service activities than onshore projects, requiring innovative solutions such as SAF to achieve carbon neutrality.

“There is a significant demand for more sustainable solutions during the construction and operation stages of wind farms. The potential for the use of SAF in offshore operations is high and we are pleased to continue to leverage it,” said Kieran Walsh, senior vice president and director of construction at Vestas, Northern and Central Europe.

“The delivery of SAF to Roskilde Airport, which will serve as a helicopter base for the Vestas pilot project, represents another milestone in our efforts to support the growing demand for alternatives to conventional jet fuel,” added Sune Petersen, Chief Strategy Officer and sustainability at DCC and Shell Aviation Denmark.