IQIP, EnBW and Vattenfall announce full-scale offshore monopile installation using EQ‑Piling technology

News published on April 21, 2026
  • IQIP to deploy EQ‑Piling on a full‑scale monopile at EnBW’s Dreekant site in German waters
  • EnBW and Vattenfall are actively driving the development forward as committed consortium partners
  • DEME’s floating installation vessel Orion will be the first to use EQ‑Piling offshore
  • The installation is a crucial step in validating reduced noise during installation without the need for additional bubble curtains — reducing both noise levels and CO₂ emissions

IQIP, together with EnBW and Vattenfall, is proud to announce that EQ-Piling will go offshore for its first full-scale monopile installation, marking a major milestone in the advancement of offshore wind foundation technology. Building on the successful inshore demonstration at Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the upcoming offshore installation represents a critical step toward commercialisation of this new, low-noise and low-carbon installation method.

The full‑scale offshore monopile installation will take place at the planned Dreekant offshore wind farm in Germany, owned and developed by EnBW. IQIP has contracted DEME, who will execute the installation using their top in class offshore installation vessel Orion. Vattenfall, consortium partner alongside IQIP and EnBW, is also supporting the project. Installation of the demonstration monopile is planned to take place in the coming month, subject to issuance of the final permit.

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Strong momentum and shared commitment
As the project moves toward full‑scale offshore validation, strong momentum is building for the commercial application of the technology. Commenting on this next step, IQIP CEO Robert Diepenbroek said: “We have strong confidence in the technology’s potential and commercial application. With the full‑scale monopile installation, we will demonstrate that EQ‑Piling lives up to its promise of being significantly quieter. We will enable a reduction in CO₂ emissions by removing the need for additional bubble curtains and the vessels that support them.”

Committed partners advancing EQ-Piling technology
As the owner and developer of the Dreekant offshore wind farm, EnBW enables IQIP to carry out this full‑scale monopile installation — a step aligned with their commitment to pioneering sustainable energy infrastructure. Commenting on the collaboration, Jörg Egbers, Vice President Offshore Engineering EnBW AG, said: We continue to shape Europe’s energy transition by accelerating the shift toward sustainable generation. With more than 15 years of experience in wind energy, we remain committed to reliable, climate‑friendly supply. We support new technologies — such as EQ‑Piling — that minimise environmental impact while increasing output and reducing costs. EnBW has engaged early with relevant stakeholders to secure all required permits for execution of the test.”

The upcoming offshore installation with DEME underscores the shared ambition to advance foundation installation technology. Reflecting on the partnership, Bas Nekeman, Business Unit Director Foundations Northern Europe, said: “At DEME, innovation and collaboration drive our contribution to a more sustainable offshore wind industry. Together with IQIP we have delivered several firsts — from the Hydrohammer® IQ4 to the deck-guided Noise Mitigation System and PULSE®. With Orion, we aim to demonstrate that EQ-Piling can be handled as efficiently as established methods. Clients expect foundations installed to target depth, within tolerances, noise regulations, and budget — with minimum risk.”

As a consortium partner alongside IQIP and EnBW, Vattenfall recognises EQ‑Piling as a promising technology for future offshore wind projects. Like the other partners, Vattenfall receives complete, first‑hand, non‑public data from the full‑scale installation, enabling detailed assessment for upcoming developments. Commenting on the collaboration, Cyril Moss, Executive Project Director for Nordlicht I and II at Vattenfall, said: At Vattenfall, we advance offshore wind as a key enabler of the energy transition through European industrial capability and genuine innovation. Progress comes when knowledgeable partners at the heart of the industry work together to turn new technology into reality.

Looking ahead: ready for project deployment
Following the full-scale offshore monopile installation, EQ-Piling will be ready for deployment in upcoming offshore wind projects. The technology offers an environmentally compliant, low-noise, low-CO₂ and scalable alternative to current installation methods — supporting the accelerating global demand for responsible offshore wind development.

For further information or enquiries, please contact on behalf of IQIP:

Alfred Maas
Executive VP Strategy & Business Development
maas@iqip.com
+31 88 208 11 00

About EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG   
With a workforce of some 30,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe. Providing energy to some 5.5 million customers, EnBW serves all stages of the value chain, from generation and trading to grid operation and the sale of electricity, heat energy and gas. In the company’s transformation from a traditional energy provider to a sustainable infrastructure group, the expansion of renewable energy sources and of the distribution and transportation grids for electricity and gas, including hydrogen, are cornerstones of EnBW’s growth strategy and the focus of its investment spending. EnBW plans to invest up to €50 billion by 2030, around 85 percent of which is earmarked for Germany. By then, renewables are planned to account for around 80 percent of the EnBW generation portfolio, with coal to be phased out by the end of 2028 provided conditions allow. These are key milestones on the way to the net zero target for the company’s own greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. 

For more information: enbw.com

About Vattenfall
At Vattenfall, we’re committed to building a future where everyone can choose fossil free ways to move, make and live. The transition to fossil freedom is one of the biggest challenges of our time, but our attitude to big challenges has always been that there’s a way. For over 100 years we’ve electrified industries, supplied energy to people’s homes and modernised society through innovation and collaboration. Vattenfall is a leading European energy company with around 12 million customers and 21,000 employees. We’re fully owned by the Swedish state and operate mainly in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK.

For more information: vattenfall.com

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About DEME
DEME (Euronext Brussels: DEME) is a leading contractor in the fields of offshore energy, dredging and marine infrastructure, and environmental remediation. DEME also engages in concessions activities in offshore wind, marine infrastructure, green hydrogen, and deep-sea mineral harvesting. The company can build on 150 years of experience and is a front-runner in innovation and new technologies. DEME’s vision is to work towards a sustainable future by offering solutions for global challenges: climate change, a growing population and urbanization, increasing maritime trade, and environmental issues. With a team of approximately 6,000 highly skilled professionals and one of the most advanced fleets in the world, DEME is well-positioned to tackle even the most complex projects. DEME realized a turnover of 4.2 billion euros with an EBITDA of 931 million euros in 2025.

For more information: deme-group.com

About IQIP
Over the course of four decades, IQIP has established itself as a front-runner in the foundation and installation industry for offshore and onshore projects. We provide total solutions from consultancy to installation, and are passionately committed to innovation, quality, safety, technology, and craftsmanship. We have played a key role in several of the largest, most complex projects the industry has ever seen and have also developed some of the largest, most technically advanced equipment in the world.
Global presence, with offices and yards in key regions, ensures a deep understanding of local markets, facilitating provision of efficient, tailored services to clients. A forward-thinking, client-centric mindset makes IQIP a reliable partner in building a sustainable future.

Let’s build tomorrow’s world together.

 

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