28/05/2025
In Le Havre, Soletanche Bachy Fondations Spéciales to Build Foundations for a Wind Turbine Factory
After contributing to the construction of the main plant in 2020, Soletanche Bachy Fondations Spéciales is now part of a consortium responsible for building the foundations of the SIEMENS GAMESA factory extension, which will manufacture offshore wind turbine blades. For this project, two drilling rigs have been mobilized, including the F5000 rig, to install STARSOL® piles.
A Major Project for Next-Generation Wind Turbines
Following the commissioning of the SIEMENS GAMESA factory in 2022, a new chapter begins with the launch of an ambitious expansion project. The goal: to produce 115-meter-long blades for 14 MW offshore wind turbines—among the most powerful in the market.
After a call for tenders issued by SIEMENS GAMESA, the consortium that built the original facility in 2020 was once again selected to carry out this strategic extension.
A Proven Team and a Geotechnical Challenge Met
The consortium includes Soletanche Bachy Fondations Spéciales and several well-known partners: GTM, SNO TP, EUROVIA, AXIMA, MÉNARD, and BOTTE FONDATIONS.
Soletanche Bachy Fondations Spéciales has deployed two high-capacity drilling rigs, including the F5000, to construct 115 fully reinforced STARSOL® piles. These piles reach depths of over 40 meters, with diameters of 620 mm and 820 mm. This technical achievement highlights our teams’ expertise and the innovation behind the Starsol® solution.
To date, 115 piles have been drilled, totaling 4,011 linear meters, with lengths reaching up to 42.50 m and an average of 30.5 m. Some piles incorporate T-Pile technology with lugs, driven more than 30 meters deep.
Our equipment — including a drilling rig and an F3500 — has been heavily used to maintain the pace and meet project objectives.
Congratulations to all the teams involved!
Key Figures of the Project:
- 115 STARSOL® piles installed
- 4,011 linear meters drilled
- Diameters: 620 mm and 820 mm
- Maximum depth: 42.50 m
- Average length: 30.5 m
- 62 tonnes of reinforcement steel
- 1,870 m³ of concrete poured
