Sustainability report 2019

23

“WE SEE OUR ROLE BOTH IN TERMS OF OUR APPROACH TO ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND INNOVATION FOR RENEWABLE FUELS, AS WELL AS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR, IN PARTICULAR OFFSHORE WIND”

STRENGTHENING OUR CONTRIBUTION: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

At Boskalis we facilitate the development of energy infrastructure and can contribute to the global goal to enable access to affordable, reliable and clean energy for all. We are part of the energy transition, driven by the need to reduce energy related CO 2 emissions to limit climate change, as set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. We see our role both in terms of our approach to energy consumption and innovation for renewable fuels, as well as through the delivery of services to the renewable energy sector, in particular offshore wind. Offshore wind capacity is forecast by the International Energy Agency to increase by almost 30 GW during the next five years requiring the installation of more than 3,600 turbine foundations. By creating cost-effective, infrastructural wind farm solutions we are helping to deliver low-cost energy projects and to make renewables more attractive to clients and consumers. As one of the leading players in this market, our extensive experience drives efficient service. When Boskalis was commissioned to lay the export cables for the Borssele Beta wind farm off the south-eastern coast of Zeeland, extensive expertise was essential because of the particular challenges of the project, which required an unusually deeply laid cable. Through a collaboration of the in-house R&D and engineering designers, the team were able to custom-build a subsea tool to make this possible. It is the only tool of its kind to achieve CE certification. Boskalis made recommendations for how to lay the cables to reduce the need for maintenance during their operational lifetime, which makes the project more cost effective. In 2017, we commissioned Bokalift 1, adapting an existing vessel by installing a 3,000-tonne revolving crane on a 7,000m 2 unobstructed deck. This vessel has been successfully deployed around the globe, including installing turbine foundations for East Anglia ONE, an offshore wind farm in the North Sea. In 2019, we were commissioned to develop Changfang and Xidao wind farms off the coast of Taiwan. In order to deliver this project, we are developing Bokalift 2, which will have even greater capacity, including a 4,000-tonne crane. By upgrading our fleet and developing its capacity and versatility to deliver complex projects, we can expand the horizons of what is possible for our offshore wind clients.

We recognize that this element of our business contributes towards the delivery of the UN SDGs, in particular SDG Goal 7 and 13, affordable and clean energy. Looking forward we want to continue to strengthen this contribution and to play an active role in advancing the energy transition and helping deliver the energy infrastructure that society needs while enhancing the competitiveness of our company. We therefore aim to expand and strengthen our market position, capabilities and service offering in renewable energy services to ensure we can serve a wider range of clients and geographies to support the energy transition, through profitable projects. In addition, we will work to support our clients in the sector to deliver sustainable projects. We will do this through our own emissions reduction efforts (see page 30) and by incorporating sustainable solutions

(low carbon or nature based solution) into our commercial offerings in renewables.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 – BOSKALIS