Our expertise in offshore wind

Offshore wind energy brings together a wide range of expertise to enable the production of electricity off the coast. Installing an offshore wind farm requires a wide range of skills and special attention to the various users of the maritime domain.

Training and professional integration: three identified priorities

Based on its experience, RWE has carried out a study to identify the professions required to meet the needs of the offshore wind industry in France. A list of several occupations likely to be in short supply in the coming years was drawn up. On the basis of these findings, a comprehensive initiative was undertaken to meet with the various players involved in training and education, with a view to forging partnerships and strengthening existing training provision.

This training issue is one of our priority objectives as a company with a mission in France. The Group's aim is to support innovation in maritime training, make offshore wind energy a more attractive career option and ensure that its expertise is shared with training providers and learners.

RWE is committed to the integration of women and gender equality.
RWE is a partner of "Les Elles de l'Océan", organised by "Elles bougent" and the French Maritime Cluster, to promote the maritime professions to women and encourage them to enter the profession.
RWE plays an active role in events organised by schools and employment agencies to raise the profile of the wind energy industry and dispel preconceived ideas about the career path and level of qualifications required to enter the industry.

Environmental issues

Sustainable development at RWE

RWE is aiming to set an example by implementing ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. The Group is committed to reducing its specific emissions from scopes 1 and 2 by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019. The Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that these reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement. RWE will therefore phase out coal by 2030, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. This strategy is in line with the company's purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

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How does RWE work on environmental issues?
RWE's Code of Conduct encourages the responsible use of natural resources and the use of environmentally friendly technologies.

RWE's status as a company with a mission in France also highlights this objective:

"Objective 4: Make environmental protection (biodiversity, carbon impact, circularity) a central focus of our projects and activities in general."

RWE has established environmental protection principles based on the ISO 14001:2015 standard. Within the Group, environmental management officers have been appointed. They regularly review, evaluate and improve the environmental management systems in place.
The principles of biodiversity protection at RWE
RWE aims to have a net positive impact on biodiversity by 2030, unless required by legislation earlier. RWE fully adheres to ERC measures: avoid, reduce and, if necessary, compensate for its potential impacts on biodiversity. The Group wanted to work specifically on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15:

Objective 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Objective 15: Preserve and restore terrestrial ecosystems, ensuring their sustainable use, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

RWE is working with the Science Based Target Network (SBTN) to have its climate targets analysed. This organisation brings together companies, associations and experts who work within the Corporate Engagement Program to develop scientific criteria for measuring the effects of human activities on biodiversity.
Innovation at the service of the environment

While 90% of the mass of a wind turbine can already be recycled, RWE has gone one step further with some of the world's first 100% recyclable rotor blades, tested under real-life conditions at the Kaskasi wind farm. Thanks to a new type of resin with a special chemical structure developed by Siemens Gamesa, the materials used to produce this blade can be separated again and recycled. RWE continues its commitment with the installation of 44 recyclable rotor blades at its Sofia wind farm off the north-east coast of the UK.

Fishing: Emphasis on the coexistence of maritime uses

In order to ensure the coexistence of all maritime activities in the vicinity of its offshore wind farms, RWE works closely with all civil society and users of the sea, in particular fishers, recreational boaters, maritime industries and environmental associations, to find solutions that benefit all parties. In general, RWE works on a daily basis to minimise the impact of its activities on fishers and the fishing industry.

Industry: Working in symbiosis

RWE has the expertise and experience needed to cover the entire offshore wind energy value chain, from development to construction and from operation to decommissioning. By being heavily involved in the entire life cycle of offshore wind projects, RWE is actively contributing to the establishment of dedicated industrial sectors.

In France, the stated objectives for offshore wind power should make it possible to develop a robust industrial sector, contributing to the country's reindustrialisation.

In order to structure this industry, RWE is committed to accelerating the development of the offshore wind industry and encouraging the creation of new jobs in the regions.

The aim is to create a French and European industry capable of meeting the growing needs of the industry for blades, masts, nacelles, anchors, floats, foundations, ships, etc. These developments are also taking place in interaction with the ports located on the various maritime fronts.

RWE a formalisé l’engagement du développement d’une filière industrielle en France en signant pour chaque appel d'offres la charte d’engagement proposée par les clusters régionaux.
RWE implique des entreprises françaises sur ses projets européens, comme les Chantiers de l’Atlantique, avec qui un contrat pour la mise en service de plusieurs sous-stations électriques a été signé.