Minesto hits 48-hour service target for Dragon 4 tidal systems

The service intervention involved extracting the nacelle to inspect a recently upgraded generator after ten weeks of active duty. By performing these checks during a low-production tidal window, the team minimized energy loss, demonstrating a maintenance workflow that relies on modular swaps rather than the lengthy, vessel-heavy campaigns typical of conventional offshore wind or tidal projects.

CEO Martin Edlund highlighted that this capability allows for operation in regions lacking specialized port infrastructure or advanced marine engineering support. Unlike stationary turbines, the Dragon technology’s ability to swap subsystems onshore ensures that maintenance does not mandate extended downtime. CTO Bernt Erik Westre noted that this efficiency is the result of years of iterative refinements alongside local contractor SJH Offshore. As Minesto shifts toward multi-unit commercial arrays, these streamlined procedures serve as a critical component in lowering the overall Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for the technology.