4 September 2024
Interview with Venterra Group
Can you tell our readers a about your organisation? (general history in Europe, countries in which you are active, specific projects you are involved in, industry players you have worked with, etc.)
Venterra is a dedicated wind energy services group at the forefront of the clean energy transition. We engineer, build and plan to support the operations of major offshore wind developments around the world by providing specialist, technical and comprehensive services at every stage of the project lifecycle.
By acquiring and integrating a portfolio of highly regarded supply chain companies with complementary skillsets and expertise – Balltec, CAPE Holland, FoundOcean, Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions, INSPIRE Environmental, Naver Energy, Partrac, Ordtek and Osbit – we provide cutting-edge, innovative and efficient engineering solutions and services to leading developers and installation contractors globally.
While Venterra Group is a relatively new name, we have an established presence in Europe with offices in Ireland and in Northern and Central Europe – France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland – as well as ambitions for growth internationally across the US and APAC.
Our 650-strong global workforce is made up of experts with specialist offshore wind experience, knowledge and skills across a significant range of topics, services and markets. Together they have worked for most of the offshore wind developers and tier one installation clients.
The companies in our group have a long-standing history of working in the offshore sector, and specifically wind since its inception. To date, they’ve worked in some capacity on the development of most operating offshore wind farms in Europe and are currently involved in many more which are still under development worldwide.
One of the best examples of Venterra’s extensive capabilities and services from concept to construction is encapsulated in the development of the Ocean Winds’ Moray West wind farm. Seven of Venterra’s nine companies have been involved in this single project over the past decade, from providing critical early-stage engineering and development services including a baseline metocean study, UXO hazard assessment and risk mitigation strategy, through to successfully and safely supporting the installation of the turbine foundations using the expertise of Venterra’s Build companies. Specifically, this has included Osbit’s monopile upending hinge, Balltec’s 3,000 tonne LiftLOK QCT
(Quick Connect Tool) and CAPE Holland’s CAPE VLT-640 Quad – the world’s largest Vibro Lifting Tool.
What are the most exciting developments you have seen in the wind industry?
Offshore wind has undergone a significant transformation over the past 10 years; from a niche industry to becoming the backbone of the electricity system with 2,000 MW of offshore wind projected to be built by 2050. It is certainly an exciting industry to be a part of, and in my time, several developments particularly stand out:
First, the dramatic increase in turbine size and capacity. We’ve gone from 5-6 MW turbines being the standard, up to 8-11 MW, with offshore turbines now reaching up to 15 MW or greater. Together with advances in blade design, materials and digital technology (such as AI for predictive maintenance), operational maturity and technology reliability today has come on in leaps and bounds.
Second, floating offshore wind is moving from a concept to a commercial reality. This opens up vast new areas for development in deeper waters.
Lastly, we’ve seen a major evolution in the global wind energy supply chain. The industry has created numerous jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research and development. It has also spurred economic growth in coastal regions, helping to ensure a more robust, diversified, and localised supply chain.
All in all, these advancements have made offshore wind energy cost-competitive with fossil fuels in many markets, without the need for subsidies – something that seemed a distant goal a decade ago.
What changes would you like to see in the wind industry?
Looking ahead, there are several changes I’d like to see in the offshore wind industry to ensure we’re able to play a sustainable leading role in the energy transition.
First and foremost, the global demand for more offshore wind capacity in Europe and elsewhere, and the increasing pressure to speed up delivery means we need to move faster. We need to be able to install five times as many turbines by 2030. To do this, we need to make the development and construction phases more efficient.
We also need to significantly boost investment in our supply chain. Not just by expanding capacity, but also fostering innovation and resilience. We should be investing in advanced manufacturing techniques, new materials, and localised production to cut logistical costs and carbon footprints.
I’d also like to see greater policy stability and a long-term commitment from Governments to support power markets worldwide. Continuous, predictable policies would encourage more investment and allow for better long-term planning.
Another crucial area is grid infrastructure. We need massive investments in transmission networks to move wind power from generation sites to consumption centres more efficiently.
And last but not least, we need greater collaboration between all stakeholders in the industry, starting with the supply chain, to successfully scale up while delivering a step change in turbine size.
Going forward, what role do you see your organisation playing in the future development of wind energy?
Since Venterra was formed a few years ago, we’ve pushed to become a global services champion and strategic partner for the offshore wind industry. We know that as the sector continues to grow to meet rising demand, the sophistication and technical requirements of larger offshore wind projects will grow as well. A highly fragmented and undercapitalised supply chain will not help.
This is where Venterra can play a key role. By bringing together leading service players, we’re enabling growth in scale and capability to best support the industry’s needs and ambitions.
And there’s another key element to mention when it comes to social acceptance of the energy transition – our companies are walking the walk on the Sector Deal. We sometimes hear this part of the supply chain being referred to as “Tier 2s”, but they deserve the same attention as the big names in the industry – because they’re local, they create jobs, and they’re exporters.
How has WindEurope membership benefited your organisation?
Building and raising Venterra’s profile across Europe is a priority for us, and being a part of WindEurope gives us an incredibly valuable platform to do this. As a member, we’ve been able to connect and collaborate with companies through conferences, workshops and networking events. We’ve also benefitted from business development opportunities.
As we all know, offshore wind has experienced significant growth in Europe, but there are several challenges and problems that the broader wind industry still faces. Venterra represents an essential part of the supply chain which is often overlooked. So we appreciate the support that WindEurope gives us to ensure that Tier 2 voices are heard when it comes to shaping policies and regulations which impact the entire offshore wind sector.
If we look ten years ahead, what do you hope to have achieved?
Personally, I’d like to see Venterra supporting the industry to achieve three pivotal goals before 2030:
Our innovations in deployment technology and supply chain optimisation will have helped to significantly accelerate installation rates, reaching a pace of up to 5 turbines installed daily.
We will have played a key role in developing a robust skills pipeline. Through our partnerships with universities, apprenticeship programmes, and industry initiatives, we will have helped to cultivate a diverse, highly skilled workforce ready to drive the sector forward.
And we will have pioneered new approaches to ensure offshore wind farms have a net positive impact on marine biodiversity. Our innovative designs and recommendations for environmental stewardship will have transformed wind farms into hubs of marine life, demonstrating that renewable energy and ecosystem enhancement can go hand in hand.
Find out more about Venterra Group
