Wind roundup: developments in policy, ports and innovation

The past week has seen significant announcements in the wind industry, with many headlines coming out of Madrid in Spain, where the sector convened for the annual WindEurope conference.  

On the first day of the event, the trade association presented a new policy paper calling for the ramp up of protection of offshore wind energy infrastructure. The paper specifically calls for the physical security of wind energy infrastructure to be integrated in early project design.

Also, it should be implemented through stable regulatory and permitting frameworks, rather than being dealt with through auctions. Security is an imperative, not a competitive space.

WindEurope chief executice Tinne van der Straeten said: “The European wind industry is doing its part to protect offshore wind farms. With the new policy paper, we stress that the physical security of Europe’s wind turbines must be treated as an integral part of energy security. Not as an afterthought. Wind turbines are critical energy infrastructure. Their protection needs a risk-based, proportionate and clear cost allocation between Government and industry”.

Ports urge faster deployment

Elsewhere at WindEurope, representatives from Spanish ports called for a decisive acceleration of the deployment of offshore wind.

In a debate hosted by Navantia Seanergies under the title Spanish Ports for Offshore Wind, Carla Chawla, director of Navantia’s Fene shipyard, stressed the importance of minimising risk for developers and highlighted the role of ports as an essential industrial complement.

In particular, she pointed to their large assembly areas, greater draught and proximity to offshore wind farms, factors that are crucial in reducing logistics costs and ensuring projects are delivered on schedule.

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In a separate session, a drone modelled on a manta ray was presented by Navantia innovation heads Patricia Sierra and Sara Oliveira.

They were hosting a session which outlined how early‑stage technological developments can evolve into solutions applicable to offshore projects, with a direct impact on design, decision‑making, and the reduction of risks and costs.

They presented projects including an advanced sensor system for monitoring of offshore infrastructures and the ‘manta ray’ drone, which is designed for seabed data collection.

“Innovation is no longer an option but a necessity to anticipate the future,” said Sierra.

Spoor and WISE collaborate 

Monitoring companies Spoor and WISE Group unveiled a partnership to deliver integrated bird and bat monitoring for wind energy.

The alliance combines Spoor’s AI-powered detection and classification of birds and bats with WISE’s expertise in system design, installation and support for monitoring infrastructure both offshore and onshore.

Spoor co-founder and chief executive Ask Helseth said developers “need more than monitoring tools. They need reliable environmental data they can use to reduce uncertainty, support permitting, and make better decisions offshore.

“By combining Spoor’s AI-powered bird monitoring with WISE Group’s offshore delivery capability, we are making that possible in a much more operationally robust way.”

WISE Group’s visual monitoring manager Vebjørn Larsen added: “Making advanced camera systems and AI software perform together reliably in harsh environments is a systems engineering challenge as much as a technology one.”

New CEO at Full Circle

O&M service provider Full Circle Wind Services used WindEurope to unveil new leadership.

Phil Goleby is the company’s new chief executive, succeeding Billy Stevenson. Goleby joined the Full Circle as chief operating officer in October 2025 and brings over a decade of leadership experience across wind, solar and energy storage.

Earlier this year, Full Circle won its biggest deal to date with a long-term maintenance contract with ENGIE UK and Equitix. The agreement covers 28 Senvion turbines across six wind farms in England and Scotland, with a combined capacity of 57.4 MW.

The contract includes full-scope operations and maintenance services, including major component repairs and replacements, and began in February 2026.

DNV supports Galp's 351MW acquisition in Spanish wind

Away from WindEurope in Madrid, Assurance provider DNV has announced Galp’s successful acquisition of a 351MW onshore wind portfolio from Helia Funds, a platform co-sponsored by Plenium Partners and Bankinter Investment

DNV’s scope included conducting the required site inspections and performance reviews, as well as an evaluation of each asset’s repowering potential. This is becoming increasingly relevant as Spain’s wind fleet ages, says DNV.

For Galp, a Portuguese integrated energy company, the transaction aligns with its strategy to diversify its renewable generation base in the growing Iberian power market.

ScottishPower and Masdar set UK record for biggest blade install at East Anglia THREE

ScottishPower and Masdar have announced that the first turbine has been installed at the East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm.

The 14MW Siemens Gamesa turbine is record-breaking in size standing around 262 metres tall and with a rotor diameter of 236 metres.

According to Scottish Power, each blade measures 115 metres, longer than a Premier League football pitch.

Darren Davidson, UK Head of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, said: “These are the biggest blades ever built for a project in UK waters – a real landmark for offshore wind.”

The turbine installation was carried out by Cadeler’s O-class Wind Osprey jack-up vessel, which will be joined later this month by the next generation P-class Wind Pace.