While integrity management of offshore wind farms is still developing, valuable practices and lessons have been gained from decades of managing offshore structures. Apollo worked with Intertek CAPCIS and the Energy Institute to produce new industry guidance that helps operators keep assets safe and reliable for longer.
The problem
Offshore wind turbines face harsh marine environments that accelerate corrosion, fatigue and other degradation.
With the industry still developing, many operators and engineers lack the extensive experience required to robustly manage all aspect of asset integrity of offshore wind turbine infrastructure.
Without clear guidance, operators risk higher costs, reduced reliability, and may limit opportunities for economical life extension.
The challenge was to develop comprehensive guidelines that would support effective corrosion management and integrity assurance across offshore wind infrastructure.
The background
The Energy Institute Steering Group appointed Intertek CAPCIS and Apollo to prepare the new Guidelines.
The goal was to capture industry best practice and knowledge for managing corrosion and integrity in offshore wind, tackling the unique challenges of operating in a marine environment. By combining Apollo’s engineering and integrity management capabilities with Intertek’s expertise in corrosion and integrity assurance, the team ensured every technical issue was covered.
The guidance covers a wide range of components common to offshore wind farms, from jacket foundations to mechanical bearings. Highlighting specific integrity threats to each type of component and recommending strategies to manage them.
“Apollo and Intertek worked together seamlessly to support us. The result is guidance that’s clear, practical, and will make a real difference to the industry.”
– Cameron Stewart, Energy Institute
The process
The team worked from the Energy Institute’s draft framework, developing it into a practical, detailed guideline shaped by industry input. We:
- Worked hand-in-hand with the EI Steering Group to develop and refine ideas
- Captured feedback from operators and service providers to ground the guidance in real-world practice
- Identified new technologies and techniques useful to the industry
- Curated relevant lessons learned from other industries that are applicable to offshore wind
- Delivered multiple iterations to balance technical depth with clarity
The outcome
The first edition of the guidelines now provides operators and engineers in the industry with a trusted reference to ensure safe and economic integrity management and maximise the life of the asset.
It sets out best practice for inspection, maintenance and risk-based analysis, giving operators clear tools to manage corrosion and safeguard asset integrity throughout the asset lifecycle.
The guidance can now be found on the Energy Institute’s website.
