Global Tech I (GT I) is a pioneering offshore wind farm located 180 km off the coast of Bremerhaven, Germany, in the North Sea. The facility started construction in 2012 and became fully operational by 2015. Technical Managing Director Dr Felix Prechtel, who runs the company together with Dr David Baureis, the Commercial Managing Director, explains that this year marks the tenth anniversary of Global Tech I, a decade of producing renewable energy on a large scale.
“With 80 turbines generating a total of 400 megawatts, Global Tech I contributes approximately 1.2 to 1.3 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power all the private households in Hamburg. Furthermore, it prevents the emission of around 560,000 tons of CO2 per year, making it a significant player in Germany’s green energy transition.”
He points out that since being commissioned, Global Tech I has operated the power plant independently, managing all essential support functions in-house, including finance, controlling, procurement, human resources, legal, and IT, as well as the entire electrical infrastructure of the wind farm, including its manned substation.
“We also maintain our own Operation Control Centre, which allows real-time monitoring and quick response capabilities,” he further notes, adding that the only main component of the operation that is outsourced is the service and maintenance of the 5-Megawatt Areva wind turbines.
One of its Kind: Unique Operational Features
One of Global Tech I’s most distinctive aspects is its manned offshore substation. While most wind farms operate with automated or remotely monitored substations, Global Tech I employs a manned facility due to the logistical constraints which applied during the project’s inception over a decade ago.
Operating a manned substation 24/7 is a significant effort, but it provides Global Tech I with a high degree of control. Prechtel points out that the substation achieves nearly a constant 100% availability, a critical performance metric in the wind energy sector. The uninterrupted function of this bottleneck facility ensures that energy from all 80 turbines can be continuously fed to the transmission system operator’s converter station as available energy to be fed into the grid.
“Another unique feature of our manned platform, which is located a long way out to sea, is the fact that GT I is the only helicopter refuelling station in the North Sea. We have night flight permission, which means that our platform can be approached at night. As such, we regularly support search and rescue operations for other wind farms, fishing, leisure and research vessels, as well as authorities such as the Federal Border Police and the German Armed Forces,” Prechtel points out.
He reflects that the expansion of wind power in the coming years raises the question of large-scale emergency rescue. “GT I could potentially serve as a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) location, with a stationed helicopter and emergency doctor to reduce response times for offshore wind farm incidents.”
New Service Partnership and Maintenance Challenges
At its 10th anniversary, Global Tech I is at a turning point as it enters the free energy market and transitions to new contract models such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Another significant change is of a different nature – after 10 years, the existing service and maintenance contract with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will expire by the end of 2025. To this end, Global Tech I Offshore Wind GmbH launched an EU-wide tendering procedure in February 2024. The process is now well advanced, and the announcement of the new service partner is expected by April 2025 at the latest.
What is special about this is that, from 2026, the contract for the maintenance and servicing of the turbines will likely be transferred from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to an independent service provider.
Prechtel says: “The transition from the original service contract and the handover of the wind farm to the new service provider will be milestones – and much as it is an opportunity to adapt operating processes and measures, it will be a challenge due to the scope of the project and the uniqueness of the equipment.”
“For example, Global Tech I operates a rare turbine model—the M5000, originally developed by Areva. This model was intended to establish Areva’s presence in the offshore wind sector, but due to limited market adoption, only about 200 units of this turbine exist globally. This rarity poses challenges for maintenance.”
“In addition, some components are no longer in production, requiring innovative solutions such as refurbishment, retrofits, and modern upgrades. While this situation presents an operational challenge, it also offers the opportunity to modernize and future-proof the wind farm for the next 15 years,” he affirms.
As part of its strategic modernisation, Global Tech I is investing in digitisation and AI-driven maintenance techniques. The current focus is on AI-based condition monitoring, virtual reality applications, and data-driven maintenance planning. “Our investments are directed solely toward existing assets, as Global Tech I’s business model does not provide for expansion. Instead, we focus on technical modernization to address obsolescence and ensure long-term viability.”
One Global Tech I: Workforce and Safety
As Global Tech I embarks on its next decade, it faces challenges and opportunities that the management is ready to fully embrace. “This is an exciting time for Global Tech I. The challenges can be turned into opportunities only with a great team, and this is exactly what we have,” says Prechtel, who has been with the company for over 10 years, with a two-year interruption on the investors’ side before rejoining GT I in September 2024.
He affirms that a strong workforce culture is a core pillar of Global Tech I’s success. The company boasts a highly diverse team, with many employees being with the company since its inception. This fosters a strong team spirit encapsulated in the phrase “One Global Tech I.”
The company’s people-centred approach has been recognised recently by winning the Top Employer Award for Medium-Sized Companies. Safety is another critical priority – recently, Global Tech I achieved zero lost-time incidents for more than one consecutive year, underscoring its robust health, safety, and environment (HSE) protocols.
“Our business partners are also an integral part of our success. We have special parts, we have a special turbine, therefore we have special requirements. Without excellent suppliers, there is hardly a chance to operate a wind farm. We are very fortunate with our suppliers, many of whom have been working with us for a long time – we value them highly.”
With a strong leadership team, dedicated workforce, and reliable partnerships, Global Tech I is well-positioned to contribute to Germany’s green energy transition for years to come.
