Brand new Cadeler X-class vessels announced for Sofia

Sofia a catalyst for next generation vessel innovation

Cadeler has today announced it will build two new X-class turbine installation vessels, the largest in the offshore wind industry, one of which has already been commissioned by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to install Sofia's 100 14MW turbines.

The two new state-of-the-art wind turbine installation vessels are set to be delivered by late 2024 and early 2025 respectively, right on time for Sofia's turbine installation works. The vessels will double the size of the current Cadeler fleet.

The construction of both X-class vessels is now underway at COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry's shipyard in Qidong, China. 

Once the state-of-the-art vessels are completed, Cadeler will work with Siemens Gamesa to transport and install Sofia's turbines at the project's Dogger Bank site, more than 195 kilometres from the UK's North East coast in the central North Sea. The 14MW turbines are expected be the largest wind turbines in the world at the time of installation - they will be 252 meters to the tip of rotor blade and have a rotor diameter of 222 meters. 

Building a project the size and scale of Sofia requires innovative ways of thinking for the design, fabrication and installation of each and every component. By selecting the next generation of turbines Sofia has also kick-started the development process for the next generation of vessels. 

The full Cadeler press release about their new X-class vessels can be read here.