Ørsted Deploys Giant Cargo Drones to Service the World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farms

Orsted biggest cargo drone programme 3 Credit Richard McCrilley Orsted

This summer marks a breakthrough for the offshore wind industry as Ørsted, the world’s leading offshore wind developer, pioneers the large-scale use of heavy-lifting cargo drones for turbine maintenance and safety. Partnering with UK-based drone operator Skylift, Ørsted has launched the most ambitious drone delivery programme ever attempted in the offshore energy sector, covering its flagship projects Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2—the largest offshore wind farms in the world.

Heavy-Lifting Drones for Critical Deliveries

At the heart of this initiative are FlyingBasket cargo drones, capable of transporting loads of up to 70 kilograms—roughly the weight of a household washing machine. These drones are tasked with carrying essential safety evacuation equipment from supply vessels directly to the nacelles at the top of turbines, which stand more than 100 metres above sea level—the equivalent of a 25-storey building.

Traditionally, such deliveries require complicated logistics, crane operations, and the shutdown of turbines. By replacing these steps with drone technology, Ørsted is reimagining the way offshore wind farms are serviced.

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Record-Breaking Offshore Operations

The scale of the project is unprecedented. Over the course of the summer, more than 550 drone flights are planned across four offshore wind farms, delivering equipment to over 400 turbines. Not only is this the largest drone delivery programme ever undertaken for offshore wind, but it is also the first time drones have been used this extensively so far from shore—reaching turbines located up to 75 miles at sea.

The programme spans some of Ørsted’s most critical sites: Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 off the east coast of England, and Walney 1 and 2 in the Irish Sea. Together, these wind farms power millions of UK homes with clean energy, making safety, efficiency, and reliability crucial.

Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability Gains

One of the major advantages of drone cargo delivery lies in efficiency. Nina F. Le, who leads the project at Ørsted, explains the challenges of traditional delivery methods:

“Normally to deliver heavy loads like this, it would require two crane-lifting operations to get the box to the top of the turbine. It would also take three people and require shutting the turbine down for up to six hours, so we could only deliver one box a day,” she said.

“Delivery by drone takes no technicians from their scheduled work. We can leave the turbines running, which means no lost power generation. Each delivery takes around five minutes, and we’ve been able to achieve up to 30 deliveries a day.”

The benefits are not limited to time savings. By reducing the need for multiple ship journeys, drone operations also cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions. They minimize health and safety risks for offshore workers, as personnel no longer need to handle heavy loads at high elevations. And because the turbines can remain in operation during deliveries, the overall reliability of energy supply is enhanced.

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Pushing the Boundaries of Offshore Innovation

Ørsted has long been an early adopter of drone technology. Smaller drones have been used for turbine inspections for several years, but this programme represents a major leap forward—transforming drones from a support tool into a critical logistics solution.

For Ørsted, this move is about more than just operational convenience; it is a statement about the future of offshore wind. “At Ørsted, we want to use our industry-leading position to help push forward innovations that reduce costs and maximise efficiency and safety in the offshore wind sector,” Nina added. “Drone cargo delivery is an important step in that direction.”

By taking this bold step, Ørsted is setting new industry standards and proving that drones can play a central role in scaling up renewable energy.

Building the Drone Supply Chain in the UK

Looking ahead, Ørsted is committed to expanding its use of drone cargo services and strengthening partnerships with the UK supply chain. The company is actively engaging with leading drone operators and service providers to build out capabilities and ensure the technology continues to evolve.

This strategy not only supports Ørsted’s global operations but also helps create opportunities for UK-based companies to lead in a growing, high-tech market. With offshore wind already a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy transition, innovations like drone cargo delivery ensure the industry remains at the cutting edge of efficiency and safety.

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A Glimpse into the Future of Offshore Wind

The success of this summer’s programme demonstrates how emerging technologies can transform even the most complex industries. Heavy-lift cargo drones have proven their ability to reduce costs, speed up logistics, and enhance safety—all while cutting emissions and supporting climate goals.

As Ørsted continues to expand its offshore footprint worldwide, the lessons learned in the UK will set a blueprint for other markets. The vision is clear: a future where drones are not just a novelty, but an integral part of maintaining and optimising renewable energy infrastructure.

By blending innovation with practicality, Ørsted is showing that the path to net zero will be powered not just by wind, but by new ideas that keep the turbines spinning and the lights on for millions of people.