Belgian B-to-B helicopter services provider NHV Group and wind turbine manufacturer Vestas are collaborating with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from helicopter operations. Starting in April, flights from NHV group departing from Esbjerg Airport in Denmark will be fully integrating SAF whenever possible.

As part of a multi-year contract, NHV will conduct dedicated crew change operations for Vestas' offshore operations in the North Sea. This multi-year contract marks a major milestone for the offshore wind industry, as it will be the first time an Airbus super-medium aircraft is used for offshore wind operations in the North Sea. NHV will conduct dedicated crew change flights to the He Dreiht offshore wind farm using the Airbus H175 from its base at Esbjerg airport.

This initiative also marks the introduction of SAF at Esbjerg, which will be supplied by DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark for Vestas' operations. NHV flights will be powered with a minimum 40 per cent SAF blend, which is produced from biowaste materials like used cooking oil.

Integrating SAF into offshore operations is a key step toward reducing environmental impact, as SAF can cut lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions from fuel used for air travel. As wind turbines are built farther offshore, aviation plays an increasingly important role in the offshore wind industry. Helicopters offer efficiency through speed and reliability, which ensures safe transport in challenging sea conditions and enhanced crew wellbeing.

Lars-Henrik Thorngreen, CEO at NHV, emphasises the significance of the partnership with Vestas: “We are proud to be supporting Vestas with helicopter flights using SAF. Alongside utilising a modern fleet and broader sustainability efforts, this initiative underscores our commitment to growing our international business in an increasingly sustainable way, supporting the environmental objectives of NHV Group, our clients and our partners.”

Lisa Ekstrand, vice president and head of sustainability at Vestas, adds: “Integrating sustainability into every aspect of our operations remains a high ambition for Vestas. We are further expanding the use of SAF in our offshore wind operations and are pleased with the close collaboration with NHV and the strong commitment of all parties involved in this project.”