Transforming offshore wind with the ATOMS platform

10 January 2026

As the offshore wind industry scales, as turbines grow larger, waters deepen, and operating environments become more complex, demand for efficient, scalable maintenance solutions is increasing. Traditional offshore maintenance models, often dependent on large jack-up vessels, are facing growing challenges related to availability, cost, and environmental impact.

The ATOMS platform addresses these challenges with an innovative offshore maintenance solution that enables major component exchange without reliance on jack-up vessels. Developed through SOLVE WIND, the joint venture between Liftra and Esteyco, ATOMS introduces a flexible, low-CAPEX approach to offshore operations.

The first-generation ATOMS platform is now in the water, has successfully completed Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and is fully operational, marking a key step from development to real-world offshore readiness. Designed to operate with Liftra’s LT1200 Self-Hoisting Crane, the platform enables efficient major corrective maintenance offshore with a significantly smaller footprint than conventional solutions.

A NEW APPROACH TO OFFSHORE WIND MAINTENANCE

The ATOMS platform is a semi-submersible barge technology developed to support major corrective maintenance on both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines. By coupling directly to the turbine structure, the platform creates a stable operating environment while eliminating many limitations associated with traditional jack-up vessels.

In its first generation, the ATOMS platform targets offshore wind turbines up to 4 MW, offering a scalable, multi-brand solution that can be adapted to different turbine models and offshore conditions.

Key advantages of the ATOMS platform include:

  • Reduced reliance on jack-up vessel availability
  • Lower operational expenditure, contributing to improved LCOE
  • Reduced environmental impact and CO₂ footprint
  • No seabed or water depth limitations
  • Flexible, multi-brand operations
  • Increased vessel availability through a low-CAPEX solution

Compared to large offshore vessels, ATOMS significantly reduces mobilization emissions. Once on site, operations are emission-free, as Liftra’s Self-Hoisting Crane technology is battery-powered and charged directly from the turbine.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION: HOW THE ATOMS PLATFORM WORKS

The ATOMS platform is easily mobilized using a standard tugboat, enabling fast and efficient deployment to offshore sites. During operations, the platform approaches the turbine using an integrated winch system and couples directly to the turbine structure.

Once connected, stability is ensured through ATOMS advanced ballasting system, allowing the platform to synchronize with the turbine and maintain safe working conditions during maintenance activities. After operations are completed, the platform can be quickly decoupled and demobilized back to shore, ready for the next assignment.

A flexible coupling interface ensures compatibility with multiple turbine models and enables scalability as turbine sizes continue to increase.

SYNERGIES WITH LIFTRA SELF-HOISTING CRANE

A key strength of the ATOMS solution lies in its seamless integration with Liftra’s Self-Hoisting Crane (LSHC) technology. By combining the ATOMS platform with Liftra’s up-tower crane systems, major component exchanges can be carried out offshore with a significantly smaller footprint than traditional solutions.

This combined ATOMS and LSHC solution:

  • Eliminates hub height as a cost driver by utilizing the turbine’s existing structure
  • Reduces mobilization scope and offshore logistics
  • Enables efficient major component exchange offshore
  • Supports both fixed-bottom and floating turbine concepts

Offshore operations using the ATOMS platform in combination with the LT1200 Self-Hoisting Crane represent the next major step in extending Liftra’s proven Self-Hoisting technology into offshore environments.

Reflecting on this development, Per Fenger, CEO of Liftra, states:

“With today’s high LCOE, solutions like the ATOMS platform are essential. By combining ATOMS with Liftra’s Self-Hoisting Crane, we enable more affordable and flexible offshore operations, and we now look forward to demonstrating this offshore in 2026.”

A SCALABLE ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE

The ATOMS technology is developed with a clear long-term roadmap to support the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry:

  • 2026 - 1st Generation ATOMS for Operations and Maintenance
    Commercial offshore operations planned in combination with Liftra’s Self-Hoisting Crane, targeting O&M work for fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines up to 4 MW.
  • 2027 - 2nd Generation ATOMS
    Release of the second-generation platform, expanding capabilities to support operations and maintenance on turbines up to 15 MW.
  • 2030 - 3rd Generation ATOMS
    Development of a third-generation platform designed for installation, operations and maintenance of fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind turbines above 15 MW.

BUILT ON COLLABORATION

The ATOMS platform is the result of close collaboration between Liftra and Esteyco under the SOLVE WIND joint venture, founded in 2023 to develop next-generation offshore wind solutions.

By combining Liftra’s Self-Hoisting Crane technology with Esteyco’s offshore engineering expertise, SOLVE WIND focuses on delivering practical, scalable solutions that address real operational challenges faced by offshore wind projects.

This collaborative approach continues to shape the platform’s development roadmap, ensuring alignment with industry needs as offshore wind turbines increase in size and complexity.

ADVANCING OFFSHORE WIND OPERATIONS

With the ATOMS platform now fully operational and tested, focus shifts toward upcoming offshore demonstrations and commercial applications. The first offshore operation using the ATOMS platform in combination with Liftra’s LT1200 Self-Hoisting Crane is planned for 2026, demonstrating major component exchange offshore with a flexible and efficient setup.

As offshore wind projects continue to scale and diversify, solutions like ATOMS play an increasingly important role in improving availability, reducing operational costs, and overcoming the limitations of conventional offshore maintenance methods.

With a clear roadmap to next-generation platforms supporting turbines up to and beyond 15 MW, ATOMS provides a scalable foundation for the future of offshore wind.

FUNDING OF THE ATOMS PLATFORM

Part of the first-generation development of ATOMS has been co-financed under Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), within the framework of the PERTE del Ecosistema Naval Español, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism.”

Part of the engineering of the second generation of ATOMS is being co-financed under Eureka – Eurostars Programme, EVOATOMS Project, Application number: 7370

EVOATOMS Project
Application number: 7370