Environmental
Close to 100% of the foundations Sif delivers are for offshore wind farms. Sif also actively strives to reduce its carbon footprint by producing and transporting in a smarter and more sustainable way. In addition, we facilitate for renewable energy initiatives on our company site such as a next-generation offshore wind test turbine operational since 2019. We aim to be CO2 neutral for all our primary business activities in the Netherlands by 2030. Including the green power generation of our test turbine, we are already CO2 neutral in 2021.
We are making major steps in reducing our natural and propane gas consumption for the preheating of weldings by introducing induction heating for all circumferential welds.
The reduction of consumables usage and the reuse and recycling of manufacturing materials are focus areas in Sif’s production processes. Residual product is separated with the help of colour-coded containers and currently 97% of the residual material is reused. Steel and minerals are fully recycled as are wood, paper and other waste; welding slugs are used in road foundations; environmental management systems are in accordance with ISO 14001; the facilities in Roermond comply with EU Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions).
Since the end of 2019, we have been indirectly self-sufficient in our electrical power supply, as we generate wind electricity on our own Maasvlakte site.
Third Party Verification and Recognition
Sif’s sustainability strategy and performance is verified and recognized by various knowledgeable parties in the market:
- MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International): Electrical Equipment.
- ESG Rating A or 6.5/10: last update 7 July 2022
- No controversies: lowest score 10/10, lowest flag G (Indicating that the company is not involved in major recent controversies).
ISS (Institutional Shareholder Services): Electrical Equipment.
- ESG Corporate rating C+. Transparency level High, Decile rank 2/10 (high relative performance); last update 29 December 2022.
CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Capital Goods; Renewable Energy Equipment.
- Score climate change D (disclosure level); last update December 2022.
The reduction of costs of offshore wind energy is primarily driven by innovations and efficiency improvements.
The industry continues to find ways to increase the power generation of offshore wind farms. Currently, a generating capacity of 15 MW per turbine is close to reality. Sif tracks the latest developments in turbine technology closely and investigates exactly what effect this will have on size, manufacturability and cost of foundations.
