In the Belgian part of the North Sea, there are currently 399 wind turbines, providing an installed capacity of 2.2 GW of offshore renewable energy. By 2030, with the construction of the Princess Elisabeth zone, this will be expanded to 6 GW.
The demand for qualified personnel for various positions within the offshore wind industry remains very high. Many professions within this sector are still relatively unknown. These jobs range from positions at sea, in the port, and on land. Examples include offshore operators, divers, support vessel crew, technical maintenance personnel, marine biologists, engineers, electricians, control room operators, cable installers, and logistics operators.
The Reef
In Ostend, the beating heart of the Belgian offshore wind industry, POM West Flanders built the Training Lab, The Reef. Using immersive technologies, students and employees are trained for a job in the offshore renewable energy industry.
The lifelike offshore wind work environment is simulated through a digital twin of the Belgian part of the North Sea and the use of XR technology. Various learning scenarios are possible: above, on, and even underwater.