Thorsten Jalk, Ziton chief executive Dong Energy and Ziton have entered into a framework agreement that will see Ziton provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services related to main component exchanges on out-of-warranty offshore wind turbines for the next three years. Ziton will provide its jack-up crane vessels for main component exchanges in Danish windfarms operated by Dong Energy not covered by OEM warranty. The current three-year agreement has an option to be extended to five years and may also include other Dong Energy-operated windfarms in Denmark and the UK. Jobs will include exchanging blades, rotors, blade bearings, main bearings, gearboxes, generators and transformers in addition to other tasks requiring a stable lifting platform. Projects will involve supplying project management, preparation of project plans, including site-specific analysis, marine operations plans and lifting plans, lifting operation and supervision, and design and construction of seafastening. Ziton chief executive, Thorsten Jalk said: “O&M plays a vital role in the future of the offshore wind industry. As offshore wind turbines come out of warranty, there is a natural progression for owners such as Dong Energy to look more closely at their O&M strategies. We have many years’ experience in all aspects of O&M planning and execution, and this agreement is a stamp of approval of our ability to help reduce the costs of operating wind farms. “Framework agreements of this type are important for the industry because they provide a commercial setup that allows service providers to take a long-term perspective, which will contribute to driving down costs in a sustainable manner.”