Imagine a future where building massive wind farms offshore doesn't disturb the ocean's delicate ecosystem – Ørsted is making that a reality with their groundbreaking Osonic technology, and it's sparking debates on how we balance green energy growth with marine conservation. But here's where it gets exciting: Their first commercial deal could revolutionize the industry. Let's dive in!
Ørsted has just announced it's launching its cutting-edge, low-noise technology called Osonic into the commercial market, kicking things off with a pioneering agreement as the preferred supplier to Luxcara. This marks the very first step toward widely deploying this innovative method for installing monopile foundations – those tall steel poles that anchor offshore wind turbines to the seabed. For beginners, think of monopiles as the sturdy legs of a giant windmill in the ocean, providing stability against waves and currents. Osonic stands out because it dramatically cuts down on underwater noise during installation, dropping levels to just slightly above the natural ambient sounds in Germany's North Sea region, all while potentially saving on costs. The plan is to apply this for wind turbine bases across Luxcara's entire German offshore wind portfolio.
So, what sets Osonic apart? It's a quieter alternative to the traditional hammering process known as pile-driving, which can be incredibly loud and disruptive to marine life like fish and marine mammals. Ørsted spent years refining this technology, and they've already put it to the test at their Gode Wind 3 Offshore Wind Farm in Germany, which started operating this year. That successful trial paved the way for commercialization.
And this is the part most people miss: By creating a dedicated Osonic platform, Ørsted isn't just keeping this tech in-house – they're now licensing it and offering related services to other developers across Europe. This strategic move fits perfectly with Ørsted's smart approach to investing resources, boosting the overall value and appeal of future offshore wind projects. It could make renewable energy more competitive by lowering barriers and enhancing sustainability.
Patrick Harnett, Ørsted's Executive Vice President and Chief Construction Officer, shared his enthusiasm: “Securing this deal with Luxcara transforms Osonic from a promising idea into a real-world product, showcasing Ørsted's history of bold innovation and the tech's immense possibilities. We're noticing growing curiosity from wind developers in major European markets, and this key agreement sets the stage for wider acceptance.”
He went on to say: “As pioneers in offshore wind, we're thrilled to share our technological expertise with others. This helps expand wind energy production beyond our own impressive 8.1 GW portfolio under construction, making offshore wind a more accessible, dependable, and secure energy option.”
From Luxcara's side, Holger Matthiesen, Director of Offshore Wind & Green Hydrogen, highlighted their commitment: “At Luxcara, sustainability drives our offshore strategy, helping us win bids that value quality over just price. Back in 2022, we began exploring quieter installation techniques. We're delighted to collaborate deeper with Ørsted and eagerly anticipate advancing the rollout of their proven low-noise method, which has already worked well in the German North Sea under similar conditions to ours. Its effectiveness in real-world scenarios was key to choosing this forward-thinking technology.”
Under this preferred supplier pact, Ørsted will license the technology and also provide engineering, procurement, and construction consulting to Luxcara for implementing it.
Now, let's break down Osonic in more detail – a great example of how innovation can protect the planet while powering our world:
- Osonic uses a patent-pending jetting technique that lessens the soil's resistance, letting foundations slide into the seabed with much less noise and disturbance to sea creatures. This replaces the noisy pile-driving, making it a gentler option. Imagine high-pressure water jets softening the ground quietly, rather than banging piles in like a hammer on a nail – it's a game-changer for minimizing environmental impact.
- When Ørsted applied Osonic at Gode Wind 3, it slashed underwater noise by a whopping 99% compared to standard methods, reaching levels barely louder than the sea's own background hum in the German Bight area of the North Sea. This reduction helps safeguard marine biodiversity, which is crucial in an era when ocean health is under threat from various human activities.
- In October 2025, Osonic earned the prestigious German Sustainability Award in the product category. The judges praised it for demonstrating how expanding renewables and protecting wildlife can coexist, potentially becoming a benchmark for eco-friendly wind projects globally.
For more insights, check out osonic.tech, and media folks can access photos and videos via this Osonic media package.
At the forefront of offshore wind breakthroughs, Osonic embodies Ørsted's innovation ethos, which has been central to their success since day one, transforming offshore wind from a niche experiment into a mainstream energy powerhouse. Technological leaps have already slashed renewable costs, making them rival fossil fuels, and Ørsted is committed to pushing boundaries further – think making green energy cheaper, steadier, more efficient, and kinder to the environment at every stage. They've recently introduced self-driving ships for surveying offshore sites and drones for delivering supplies to turbines, shaving time and expenses off operations.
Ørsted's in-house R&D team, packed with scientific and engineering know-how, handles a variety of initiatives, and they've teamed up with over 50 universities and research institutes to turn lab discoveries into field-ready solutions.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is this tech a win-win for everyone, or does it overlook potential trade-offs? Critics might argue that while noise reduction is great, the focus on licensing could prioritize profits over sharing knowledge freely. Others wonder if the cost savings truly make offshore wind affordable for all, or if it mainly benefits big players like Ørsted and Luxcara. What do you think – does balancing innovation with environmental stewardship mean compromising on accessibility, or is this a step toward true sustainability? Share your views in the comments below; we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have counterpoints!
For more details, reach out to:
Ørsted Global Media Relations
Michael Korsgaard
+45 99 55 94 25
mikon@orsted.com
Luxcara Marketing & Communications
Lisa Zillessen
press@luxcara.com
About Ørsted
Ørsted leads the world in developing, building, and running offshore wind farms, with Europe as its core. Drawing on over 30 years in the field, they boast 10.2 GW of operational offshore capacity and 8.1 GW in progress. Their broader renewable portfolio across Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America totals more than 18 GW, including onshore wind, solar, energy storage, bioenergy, and trading. As a recognized sustainability champion, Ørsted aims for a fully green energy world. Based in Denmark with about 8,000 employees, their shares trade on Nasdaq Copenhagen. In 2024, operating profits (excluding new partnerships and fees) hit DKK 24.8 billion (EUR 3.3 billion). Learn more at orsted.com, or follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Luxcara
Luxcara is an independent asset manager providing equity and debt investment options for global investors in the clean energy sector. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, they acquire, finance, and manage long-term infrastructure for the energy shift through a buy-build-operate model. Their emphasis on unsubsidized markets has positioned them as a top European player in projects with long-term power deals. Since 2009, their portfolio spans clean infrastructure across the continent, showcasing decades of expertise in green investments.
Follow them at www.luxcara.com or on LinkedIn.
Attachments
- Ørsted to commercialise Osonic.pdf
