Operations and Maintenance
The power that come from sea Offshore wind power plants
Ethan Hunter, REAC Deputy Chairman of Steering Committee
Power = ½ C p A V^3
C: Constant Coefficient of Performance
p: Density of Air
A: Swept Area of Turbine Blades
V: Velocity of Wind
Feasibility process and risk analyses
Nowadays we can easily observe the increasing technological innovation of wind power plants, the rising of Off-Shore wind power plant’s capacities and generated power compared to last 5-7 years. If we want to consider the power formula stated above, we can state that a little change of wind speed can cause extreme increase in the generated power. At the same conditions the wind power plant which is operating at 15mph can generate 2 times more power according to plant that is operating at 12mph wind speed.
That is the best reason of selecting the locations for installing the Off-Shore wind power plants. ‘’ The huge reflection of a small increase of wind speed to power generation…”
With the fact that ¾ of the earth is covered by seas and the speed and the power of the wind over the seas is more than the wind over the land, the off-shore locations are appropriate for installing the wind power plants. But!:
The cost of installing the power plants to off-shore locations and also the cost of operating is much higher than land power plants. The average cost of land installing is about 2.400$/KW while, the cost of off-shore power plant installing can reach 4.600$/KW. The smallest mistake in design of off-shore field and making its feasibility can cause unaffordable situations for investor in the installing and operating stages.
The necessity of educated and qualified staff
The rigid weather conditions, regulations caused by installing over the sea and the maintenance conditions stated in sea requires a more qualified staff compared to staff who work for land power plants. Also the staff for off-shore should feel themselves more ready in physical and psychological means.
The education for staff who will work over an installed floating platform, operating at 100m altitude, being exposed to the shaking and loading of crashed waves because of strong weather conditions under huge blades, also the place that keep medium and high voltage, the hydraulic and mechanical systems that located in ‘’ Limited Space’’, is so important for their lives and the safety of the system which costs millions of dollars.
We as REAC (Renewable Energy Academy) started the studies for the education of staff in parallel to the projects for off-shore power plants which are started for becoming common. Especially through the experience about ‘’Off-Shore’’ of our partners in Europe, we made all next 2019 year’s projects and operation plans for creating the 100% domestic staff power for off-shore power plants, which is thought nowadays, in order to train them in international and European standards.
Regarding that our country is surrounded by seas on three sides, evaluating the power ‘’from the sea’’, adding the new energy resources to other resources and thinking Turkey as ‘’Colossal Energy Generator’’ for middle and long period is not so imaginary for us.
Eawind, one of the first training providers to offer GWO blade repair training in Türkiye, has announced the successful completion of its periodic audit process.
According to the company’s statement, the training program, delivered under Global Wind Organisation (GWO) accreditation, aims to provide participants with a globally recognized qualification.
The company also expressed its appreciation to Dr. Duygu Hakan and the Bureau Veritas team for their professional approach and contributions throughout the audit process.
We4Ce, a Netherlands-based rotor blade engineering company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thailand-based renewable energy developer CEWA Plus to scale on-site blade root bushing remanufacturing across Asia.
The agreement integrates We4Ce’s proprietary “Re-FIT” methodology and CNC Onsite’s mobile machining solutions with CEWA Plus’s on-site execution and quality control processes, forming a regional service network.
Serial orders are scheduled to begin in April 2026, with operations expanding across 12 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
A new approach to blade root maintenance
Blade root bushings are critical structural components connecting the blade root to the turbine hub. In certain blade constructions, material shrinkage or uneven distribution may lead to microcracks and reduced bonding strength over time.
The Re-FIT methodology enables precise removal and replacement of the damaged interface layer, restoring a factory-standard mechanical bond.
Compared to conventional repair methods involving blade transport or replacement, the on-site solution offers:
- Up to 60% cost reduction
- Lower CO₂ emissions
- Reduced downtime
New monitoring system: GapMaster Intelligence
The MOU also includes the integration of “GapMaster Intelligence,” a monitoring system developed by CEWA Plus.
Using high-precision laser scanning, the system continuously monitors the bond between the blade root and the bushing. Any detected gap triggers an automated alert via SCADA, enabling a shift toward proactive, condition-based maintenance.
Regional expansion and training
Technical teams from Asia will undergo training in Denmark and the Netherlands, covering machining operations, the Re-FIT process, and structural restoration procedures.
Following initial deployment in Thailand, the partners are also targeting expansion into Brazil and the United States, while developing solutions for offshore wind applications.
GE Vernova receives 1.1 GW of U.S. wind turbine repower orders, extending asset lifetimes, increasing output, and supporting domestic manufacturing.
GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind business has secured orders in 2025 to repower 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind capacity in the United States. The projects are expected to reach commercial operation between 2026 and 2027.
The repowering initiatives will utilize nacelles and drivetrains manufactured at the company’s Pensacola, Florida facility, reinforcing domestic manufacturing activity and supply chain localization.
Extending Asset Life and Increasing Output
Repowering enables wind farm operators to upgrade existing assets by replacing key components such as nacelles and drivetrain systems, without developing entirely new sites. This approach increases annual energy production, improves reliability, and reduces long-term operations and maintenance costs.
As onshore wind fleets mature, repowering is emerging as a cost-effective strategy to extract additional value from established sites while avoiding permitting complexities and grid connection challenges.
A Growing Installed Base
GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind segment supports an installed base of approximately 59,000 turbines worldwide, representing nearly 120 GW of capacity. The company continues to expand its focus on lifecycle services and modernization solutions as part of its broader energy transition strategy.
Repowering as a Strategic Trend
Globally, repowering is becoming an increasingly important component of wind market development. By upgrading high-performing sites with modern equipment, operators can enhance output without expanding land use, while improving project economics and asset performance.
The 1.1 GW of repower orders secured in 2025 signals sustained demand for modernization solutions in the U.S. market and highlights the growing role of lifecycle optimization in mature wind fleets.
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