SIDE-MP project advances low impact monopile decommissioning
A GROW project is validating a silent, low-impact method to fully remove offshore wind monopiles, supporting circular reuse of steel and minimising seabed disturbance.
The Silent and Circular Decommissioning of Monopiles (SIDE-MP) project has kicked off to develop and validate a practical, environmentally responsible method for removing offshore wind monopiles at the end of their service life. With the first generation of European offshore wind farms approaching decommissioning and legislation increasingly requiring full site restoration, effective removal techniques are becoming essential.
SIDE-MP builds on insights from previous GROW projects SIMOX and SIMPLE III, where controlled water jetting and Vibrojet® showed strong potential for extracting piles with minimal impact. The new project focuses specifically on decommissioning conditions, aiming to optimise jetting configurations to safely release monopiles while maximising material recovery for circular reuse.
The research programme combines advanced fluidisation modelling with laboratory proof of concept tests. Measurements of pore pressure, total pressure, soil behaviour and extraction forces will help validate and refine the model. The final outcome will be practical design recommendations for offshore monopile extraction, including guidance on jetting strategies, energy needs and sediment disturbance limits.
By delivering a validated low impact method, the SIDE MP project supports the sector’s transition toward circular and environmentally responsible decommissioning.
This project is carried out in partnership with Deltares and GBM Works.
Learn more: Visit the SIDE MP project page for details.
