Since production began in 2008, EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH has been making a significant contribution to the expansion of the global offshore wind industry through the manufacture of monopiles, pin piles and other large-diameter pipe components at the Rostock Overseas Port. Through a comprehensive plant expansion, EEW SPC will now align its technical capabilities with future market requirements whilst investing in high-performance and internationally competitive production capacities in Europe.
With investments running into the tens of millions in machinery and space optimisation, EEW SPC is further expanding its market position as one of the world’s leading suppliers. “By expanding our plant, we are positioning ourselves for the future while strengthening industrial value creation and security of supply in Europe. The investment helps to increase the resilience of the European supply chain. This is particularly well-positioned to meet future demand, especially with regard to foundation manufacturers. The result is a comprehensive range of products from European manufacturers that can fully meet future requirements without the need for imports from third countries such as China. The plant expansion therefore helps to ensure that European offshore Expansion targets can be achieved reliably and at competitive costs,” said Sascha Hofmeister, Technical Managing Director.
Plant expansion enables 12-metre diameters from 2028
The plant expansion focuses on technical and infrastructural measures within the existing production halls. Based on an efficiently designed plant and logistics concept, targeted measures with a significant impact have been identified and had already been initiated in mid-2026. Initial steps, such as extensive refurbishment and hall construction work will be completed as early as the beginning of 2027. As part of this, a neighbouring industrial site was acquired, amongst other things, which will provide additional capacity for raw material storage in future. Further investment measures will follow in the course of 2027 and 2028.
From the second quarter of 2028, the Rostock plant will be able to manufacture monopiles with a diameter of up to 12 metres – instead of the previous 10 metres – and a unit weight of up to 3,000 tonnes. The total annual capacity is 200,000 tonnes under normal operating conditions.
“In 2008, we began manufacturing monopiles with a maximum diameter of six metres. Since then, the rapid development in the performance of offshore wind turbines has led to an equally dynamic evolution in foundation dimensions. We have consistently kept pace with these developments in the past and have built our innovative strength on the challenges we have faced. We intend to continue demonstrating this strength in the future,” says Commercial Director Robert Dreves.
Assessment of further potential expansion phases
Given the ambitious European and global offshore wind expansion targets, turbine development will continue to advance in the medium and long term. This will further increase demand for monopile foundations with diameters of up to 15 metres. For this reason, EEW SPC is already in close consultation with the relevant state authorities and the City of Rostock, as well as the port authority, to evaluate possible further phases of plant expansion from 2030 onwards at Rostock’s Port. Potential future sites are also located in the immediate vicinity of the existing plant. The timely provision of such industrial capacity requires reliable and continuous expansion pathways, as well as long-term planning and investment certainty.
Through these planned investments, EEW SPC is demonstrating its long-term commitment to Rostock as an industrial location and to the European offshore wind value chain. The site combines industrial expertise, skilled employment and short transport routes, thereby contributing to the resilient and sustainable achievement of European expansion targets.