VGB/BAW-Standard Corrosion protection for offshore wind structures and wind park components published in English

The growing number of wind turbines in Europe and the world raise new challenges to operators. To reduce the cost of installation and operation and to increase operating reliability, a coordinated and joint analysis of operating experience is an absolute necessity. Apart from exchanging information and experience, the participating companies mainly strive to promote standardisation (best practice).


The growing number of wind turbines in Europe and the world raise new challenges to operators. To reduce the cost of installation and operation and to increase operating reliability, a coordinated and joint analysis of operating experience is an absolute necessity. Apart from exchanging information and experience, the participating companies mainly strive to promote standardisation (best practice). To this end, VGB PowerTech e.V. and Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute) have decided jointly to draw up a VGB/BAW standard on corrosion protection for offshore wind turbines and wind farm components. Considering the high cost of investment in offshore wind turbines, the aim is to protect the steel structures of offshore units from corrosion damage for at least 25 years or more with corrosion prevention systems, for example coating systems. Costintensive repair work at sea can exceed the cost of onshore repairs by a factor of as much as 100. Robust systems therefore are required to avoid performing repairs at sea.

In parts 1 to 3 of this standard, the intention is to harmonise the rules and guidelines in order to safeguard quality. Part 1 deals with the topic of corrosion protection in general and includes a definition of the corrosion zones. Part 2 focuses on the requirements of corrosion protection systems, and part 3 on the reliable application of an initial coating. Parts 4 to 6 are currently in preparation and will be concerned with the topics of cathodic corrosion protection, coating system repair and in-service inspection and monitoring.