Amrumbank West was one of the early large offshore wind farms in the German North Sea. What were the biggest technical or logistical challenges at the time?

One of the biggest challenges we faced at the time was the complexity of the project. We opted for a so-called "multi-contracting approach," which meant we were directly responsible for numerous suppliers and service providers. Essentially, as the client, we were also the general contractor, responsible for all interface risks and scheduling between the various trades. At that time—unlike today—there were no experienced contractors on the market to whom we wanted to entrust this complex task.  

We also used a number of technical innovations at Amrumbank West for the first time – such as bolted connections between the transition piece and monopile, or scour protection with geotextile sand containers. At the same time, there was little reliable data and little experience. For example, I remember the ever-increasing demands for soundproofing during the piling work for the monopile foundations. What particularly characterized that time, however, was the spirit of optimism and the positive spirit of doing something together for the very first time. Offshore wind is certainly still a playground for innovation today, but this was particularly pronounced in the early years. You could say: There is magic in every beginning.