RWE and TotalEnergies to deploy 66 ARC marine Reef cubes at OranjeWind
- 66 Reef cubes will be placed at 11 turbine foundations, one of the largest artificial reef deployments at a North Sea wind farm to date.
- The cubes will provide 1,440 m² of surface habitat and remain in place for the wind farm’s operational lifetime.
- Each Reef cube weighs almost 6,000 kg, is 1.5 m high, and is made from low‑carbon, recycled materials with shell content to encourage oyster settlement.
- Offshore foundation installation for OranjeWind starts in 2026 and the 795 MW wind farm is planned to be fully operational early in 2028.
Order and deployment
RWE and TotalEnergies have contracted ARC marine to supply 66 Reef cubes® for a section of the OranjeWind offshore wind farm in the Dutch North Sea, with the structures to be placed at 11 turbine foundations once construction is complete. The project will be one of the largest deployments of artificial reef structures at a North Sea wind farm to date.
Design and materials
The cuboid Reef cubes® are designed for stability, efficient transport and ease of deployment; each is almost 6,000 kg, 1.5 m high and made from low‑carbon, recycled materials certified safe for the marine environment. Shell materials are included in the mix to promote native oyster settlement and long‑term habitat formation.
Biodiversity objectives
The cubes contain cavities and textured surfaces intended to attract marine flora and fauna; earlier ARC marine trials in the North Sea showed a wide range of species colonising and living around the cubes. Cod and native oysters are identified as focal species to deliver broader ecological benefits across the local ecosystem.
Timeline
Offshore foundation installation for OranjeWind is scheduled to start in 2026, and the 795 MW wind farm is planned to be fully operational early in 2028, supplying electricity equivalent to one million Dutch households annually.
Source: RWE
