The critical need for supply chain resilience in offshore wind

To navigate licensing, compliance, safety, and security in a volatile world, robust supply chains for offshore wind farms are essential.

Strengthening networks against security threats 

In a world of growing uncertainty, investing in supply chain security positions offshore wind operators as frontrunners in the renewable energy transition. By adopting proactive, specialized strategies to protect against physical and digital threats, they not only secure current projects but also drive long-term innovation in sustainable power generation. The call to strengthen these networks is urgent and essential to ensure a resilient future.

Geopolitical tensions and rapid technological evolution mean that the durability of offshore wind supply chains has become an essential operational priority. Disruptions from global crises to targeted cyber threats can halt project timelines, inflate expenses, and undermine investor trust. 

The renewable energy sector faces amplified risks in offshore wind due to its dependence on specialized marine components, extended procurement timelines, and rigorous environmental regulations. For offshore wind developers and operators, these vulnerabilities are heightened by the sector's exposure to harsh ocean conditions, reliance on global sourcing for turbines, subsea cables, and rare earth materials, and the need for seamless integration with national grids. Yet this very connectivity creates a digital battlefield. 

Public and industrial customers expect strong security and will seek assurance of operational resilience. The threats have moved from theoretical concerns to real-world incidents, including state-sponsored activities, ransomware attacks that can halt generation, and data manipulation that can lead to equipment failure. A proactive approach to addressing these digital challenges is therefore essential for protecting energy assets and ensuring national security.

 

 

Geopolitical volatility and trade controls

The international sourcing landscape for offshore wind components, spanning turbine blades from Europe, monopile foundations from Asia, and high-voltage cables from various regions, exposes operators to significant geopolitical risks. Export restrictions on technologies such as secure communication systems have escalated, especially amid trade frictions between key economic powers. These regulations require strategic foresight, regulatory expertise, and collaborative supplier relationships to avoid delays and enable the market entry of vital innovations. In the offshore wind context, issues like supply bottlenecks for neodymium magnets (essential for turbine generators) due to concentrated production in certain countries further underscore the need for diversified sourcing strategies to enhance supply network security. 

 

Information and physical security in an interconnected offshore ecosystem

The adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices and cloud-based analytics for remote turbine monitoring has boosted operational efficiency in offshore wind farms but has also expanded vulnerability points. A compromise in information security could destabilize energy output, trigger hefty fines, and cause reputational harm. Equally critical is the physical safeguarding of assets across the supply chain, from manufacturing facilities to installation vessels navigating international waters. A comprehensive security framework, integrating both digital and physical defenses, is vital. DNV addresses these through informal threat modelling, formalized documentation in management systems, and operational support like incident response plans and tailored playbooks - particularly relevant for offshore wind's remote and exposed assets. 

 

 

The DNV approach to ensure enduring supply network resilience

Fortifying supply chains in offshore wind demands a systematic, expert-led methodology. At DNV, our consultancy services for enhancing supply chain robustness in the offshore wind sector are anchored in four key pillars:

• Leveraging digital insights for proactive oversight: AI-powered tools and analytics platforms deliver real-time visibility into supply dynamics. DNV assists clients in aggregating data from diverse sources to predict disruptions and streamline inventory. For instance, our collaboration with a North Sea offshore wind operator using predictive modelling reduced inventory costs by 15% while bolstering readiness for component shortages, such as weather-induced delays in cable deliveries. 
  
  
• Enhancing physical and information security: We provide end-to-end solutions to mitigate risks in marine environments, including cybersecurity assessments for IIoT-enabled turbines and physical security audits for transport routes. For existing plants or their reference models, mitigations can be substantiated with penetrative testing of operational technology. 
  
  
• Regulatory advisory services: Expert guidance to navigate intricate international trade controls and compliance requirements specific to offshore wind, such as EU renewable energy directives and maritime safety standards. 
  
  
• Tailored risk mitigation strategies: Customized plans that address offshore-specific challenges like safety instrumented functions, incident response plans, and electric grid connections. 

DNV's distinctive combination of deep technical knowledge, current regulatory awareness, and worldwide presence enables us to empower offshore wind stakeholders to build resilient supply networks that withstand volatility. 

Contact Bálint Z. Téglásy to schedule a discovery call and kick start a tailored resilience roadmap for upcoming and operational projects in Europe. For wind assets in other areas, contact global lead Peter Brun. For supply chains beyond the energy industry, please get in touch with Christopher Lilholm.

 

8/29/2025 12:00:00 PM