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O&M center
The O&M Center (Operations & Maintenance) serves as a base for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. As the nearest port to the North Sea Mid and North Sea South, Hvide Sande Port offers quayside areas, flexible facilities, and short sailing times that support an efficient, safe, and cost-effective operational phase for offshore wind.
O&M center by offshore wind farms
As the clearly closest port to the offshore wind farms North Sea Mid and North Sea South, Hvide Sande Port is the adjacent choice for establishing an O&M Center for the turbines' operational phase. The short distance to the farms provides optimal conditions for daily operations, technical maintenance, and personnel transport, forming a central part of the port's overall offshore activities.
Hvide Sande Port has dedicated quay areas with directly associated backland for storage, personnel, and office facilities. On these dedicated quay stretches, it is possible to establish exclusive use rights for CTV vessels as well as adjacent areas for the O&M center.
The areas can – as needed – be enclosed and established in conjunction with direct access to quayside facilities in sizes up to approximately 10,000 m² depending on location. Various placements can be offered based on the need for proximity to the quay, exclusivity, water depth, and facilities.
The available quay and backland areas range from about 4 to 7 meters of water depth and include both pier quays and sheet-piled quays. Services such as shore power, water supply, fuel handling, and waste management can be arranged as part of the overall O&M setup.
Establishing an O&M Center gathers personnel, vessels, spare parts, and daily logistics in one place, creating an operational base that supports continuous operation throughout the lifetime of the wind farms.
Shortest sailing distance to offshore wind farms
The distance from the entrance to Hvide Sande Port to the edge of North Sea Mid and North Sea South wind farms is approximately 20 km.
The short sailing time provides technicians with more effective working hours on the turbines, reduces fuel consumption, and increases overall operational efficiency. The short distance between the port and the wind farm is a crucial factor in the O&M phase, as travel time directly impacts both maintenance efficiency, response time, and overall operating costs.
Torben Lindberg Strømgaard
Business Development Manager, Offshore
Reliability in the O&M Phase
The short distance increases safety, as CTV vessels can quickly reach port in the event of adverse weather conditions. The entrance to Hvide Sande Harbour is also ice-free year-round due to the sluicing operations between Ringkøbing Fjord and the North Sea.
Hvide Sande Harbour has round-the-clock staffed port watch, which can be called upon 24 hours a day, year-round. The port watch can assist with information about berths, water and electricity consumption, waste management, and waste oil.
Facilities, Quay Conditions, and Areas
- Area: up to approx. 10,000 m² depending on location
- Quay Type: pier quay and sheeted quays
- Water Depth: approx. 4–7 meters
- Exclusive Usage Rights: possibility for dedicated CTV quays and O&M areas
- Services: shore power, water, fuel management, waste, and waste oil (can be arranged as needed)
Vattenfall Wind Power – O&M Center at Hvide Sande Harbour
Offshore Wind Farms: Vesterhav South and Vesterhav North
Area: approx. 5,000 m²
Exclusive Quay: approx. 90 meters
Established: 2023
Vattenfall Wind Power’s O&M Center at Hvide Sande Harbour demonstrates the harbour's ability to establish dedicated O&M areas with exclusive quay access and functional frameworks for the daily operation of offshore wind farms.
Quick Overview of the Benefits
| Benefits of Hvide Sande Harbour | Gain in Practice |
| Shortest sailing distance to wind farms | More effective working hours offshore and reduced sailing time |
| Quay and hinterland together in one place | Efficient operations with CTVs, crew, storage, and facilities close to each other |
| Flexible and scalable areas | Possibility for both smaller and larger O&M setups depending on needs |
| Ice-free harbour year-round | Stable operations without seasonal restrictions |
| 24/7 port services | Quick response, ongoing support, and high operational reliability |
FAQ – general questions about O&M center
What is an O&M Center in offshore wind?
An O&M Center is a base for operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms, where personnel, vessels, spare parts, and logistics are gathered to support the daily operations during the turbine's lifespan. The center serves as a hub for both planned maintenance and handling of unforeseen events, ensuring uptime and safety can be maintained.
Why is the distance between the port and the wind farm important?
The distance has a direct impact on how many effective working hours technicians have offshore, as well as on fuel consumption, safety, and response time in the event of unforeseen incidents. Short sailing distance allows for more flexible planning and quicker intervention, which is crucial in daily O&M operations.
What vessels are typically used in the O&M phase?
The operational phase primarily employs CTVs (Crew Transfer Vessels) for the transport of technicians and equipment between the port and the wind turbines. CTVs are designed for frequent sailings and quick access to the turbines, making them suitable for wind farms located relatively close to the coast.