The world's largest offshore wind farm is about to go live off the coast of the United Kingdom, with AkzoNobel coatings protecting all 165 of its massive 8MW turbines from the ravages of the North Sea.

Hornsea 2 will be operational by mid-2022, approximately 89 kilometers off the east coast of England. It can generate more than 1.3 gigatonnes of energy, which is enough to power over 1.3 million homes.

All of the turbines' foundations (which stand 204 meters above sea level) have been coated with Interzone 954 from the company's International brand. Originally designed to protect offshore oil and gas structures, the product has now become the go-to solution for offshore wind farms.

"It's fantastic to be a part of such a large and ambitious project," says Simon Parker, Director of AkzoNobel's Marine and Protective Coatings business. "As the world transitions to a greener, more sustainable future, it is critical that critical infrastructure is not only fit for purpose, but also long-term."

"This is where Interzone 954 comes into play. It is one of the most trusted products in the industry for protecting structures operating in the harshest environments. It has over 30 years of track record and has now protected over 2,000 offshore wind assets globally."

Protecting turbines correctly the first time allows them to operate continuously in the most difficult environments. Because of the high humidity and chloride content in the air, offshore wind farms are especially vulnerable to atmospheric corrosion. The splash zone of each wind turbine is the most prone to corrosion because it is constantly wet and dry due to tides and waves.

Interzone 954 has a one-of-a-kind combination of properties, including excellent barrier protection, exceptional abrasion resistance, and a high film build. It is also resistant to a variety of chemicals.

The 462 square kilometer Hornsea 2 project, which has been in the works for four years, follows the successful completion of Hornsea 1 - the world's largest offshore wind farm - in 2021. Its 174 7MW turbines, which are also coated by AkzoNobel, already power approximately a million homes in the UK.

Source: AkzoNobel newsroom