Sarens’ involvement with renewable energy projects is accelerating the global energy transition
As a global leader in crane rental services, heavy lifting, and engineered transport, Sarens provides customers with creative and intelligent solutions in the form of state-of-the-art equipment value engineering. With more than 100 entities in 67 countries, Sarens works with companies across the globe from small-scale startups to helping with some of the world’s most crucial infrastructure projects.
Sarens’ motto of ‘nothing too heavy, nothing too high’ is testament to the company’s vast range of product applications and project involvement. Five core values run through the business: brilliant solutions, dedication to safety, zeal for excellence, love for traditions, and global spirit. To learn more about Sarens and its increasing involvement in offshore wind projects, we speak with Yannick Sel, Group Commercial Director, and Enrika Uusitalo, Managing Director of Sarens Wind Service Finland OY. 
Industry world leader
“Sarens is a Belgian-based, 100 percent family-owned company specializing in heavy lift and engineered transport,” Yannick opens. “The business was founded in 1955 by Frans Sarens, who gradually enrolled each of his 12 children in the company’s operations once they had finished their education. Initially, Frans used a horse and cart for forestry works and the transport of trees, but wooden wheels made way for tires and the horses were eventually replaced by engines.
“Frans then purchased a crane, which quickly became four cranes, and he continued to invest in new equipment as the business steadily grew throughout Belgium in the 1960s. The first barges and self-propelled modular trailers (SPMTs) were added to the fleet in the 1970s, and the business grew to offer services in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Thailand.
“Today, Sarens is a world leader in the transport and heavy lifting industries, and the Sarens Wind Service business provides a full range of services for onshore and offshore wind projects, from wind turbine installation and project design to maintenance and end-of-life turbine solutions. Our concentration on the renewable energy industry and our ability to complete projects on time and within budget not only enables global energy transition but accelerates it.
“The business remains family owned, with the fourth generation now at the helm,” he continues. “Our CEO is a fourth-generation family member, for instance, as is the Managing Director of Projects, and there are several other family members involved, so the family remains well embedded in our day-to-day operations at various levels. Family ownership brings the unique advantages of short communication lines and fast decision making, meaning we can react quickly to changing market conditions.”
Bespoke solutions
In 2022, Sarens launched the world’s largest crane, SGC-250, otherwise known as Big Carl, and its first project was at Hinkley Point C, a nuclear power station in the UK. Elaborating on the company’s product portfolio and extensive capabilities, Yannick explains: “From a lifting perspective, our products range from 50-ton telescopic cranes to 5000-ton ring cranes and alternative lifting solutions. Our motto of ‘nothing too heavy, nothing too high’ perfectly sums up our approach. We have a wide product selection and can also provide tailored solutions for specific projects, which allows us to find the most appropriate solution for the customer, whether their priority is capacity, sustainability, or cost effectiveness. We don’t only offer rental equipment, but support customers in creating an engineering concept or integrated solutions.
“With increasing demand for more sustainable alternatives, we’re developing a range of electric-powered cranes. Our giant ring crane, like the SGC-90, can be electrically powered and even recover electricity when lowering the load. Not only do electrically powered cranes emit less carbon, but they are also particularly beneficial in urban areas where we must consider noise pollution as they are much quieter than traditional cranes powered by a diesel engine.”
Renewable energy expertise
On the topic of sustainability, Enrika adds: “Sarens is an accelerator of the energy transition, but we’re also implementing internal initiatives that improve our own footprint. We’ve renewed the pumping systems in our barges, for instance, and transitioned to bio-based oils. When it comes to transportation, we’re working closely with manufacturers to suggest adaptations to the design of the crane that make it easier to transport and therefore reduce the impact on the roads. An example of this is with the LR1350, a 350-ton crawler crane. We tweaked the design to be lighter, yet maintain its capacity, which meant it could be transported on a normal truck as opposed to a heavy truck.”
As our conversation continues, Enrika shares a selection of projects Sarens Wind Service is currently working on. “We’re at the early stages of development for an offshore wind project in Norway, for which we’ve invested in a new crane, the LR12500-1.0,” she reveals. “The 2500-ton crawler crane has been co-developed with Liebherr and is the ideal lifting solution for offshore wind turbines. Recognizing the added value of this model, Sarens has not only invested in one crane but will take delivery of its third LR12500-1.0 by the end of 2024.”
With expertise in renewable energy projects, Sarens will inevitably continue to experience high demand. “We have a long-term outlook on the future, especially considering the number of renewable projects around the world that have been delayed or canceled,” Yannick concludes. “We’re hopeful that many of these projects will be reignited in 2025, but we’re also seeing new projects, particularly for offshore wind, emerging in unusual regions like Latin America, the East Coast of the US, Canada, and Asia. As projects continue to spring up around the globe, we’ll combine the offshore wind knowledge we’ve built up in Europe and combine it with local presence and industry experience to establish a truly global client base. All with a clear purpose, to accelerate the energy transition!”