Balance of plant offshore inspections

Control over safety, risk and maintenance starts with insight into the actual condition of offshore assets. Balance of Plant inspections provide that insight by assessing the structural integrity of offshore infrastructure surrounding the turbine, including foundations, transition pieces, boat landings, access systems and offshore substations.

By aligning inspections with specific assets, offshore conditions and critical degradation mechanisms, a reliable view of performance and risk is established—enabling asset owners and operators to make well‑informed decisions on maintenance, availability and asset lifespan.

Control Union

    Certainty and control for wind turbines

    Control Union integrates multiple certified inspection disciplines within a single BoP campaign, including visual and condition assessments, non‑destructive testing (NDT) and thickness measurements, bolting and flange inspections, and certified coating inspections. Execution is carried out using rope access, drones and remote monitoring, selected based on location and risk profile. This integrated approach reduces mobilisation effort while providing a complete and consistent condition overview through a single inspection partner.

    Three offshore wind turbines standing in the sea, with clear blue sky. Wind Turbines at Sea. Sustainable energy production. Green Energy, clean power, clean energy concept.

    We provide the following inspections within the offshore wind industry:

    Statutory inspections are legally required, periodic safety inspections of work equipment and systems on the turbine, focused on HSE compliance and safe working practices. Read more.

    Balance of plant inspections focus on the structural condition and integrity of offshore infrastructure surrounding the turbine, such as foundations, transition pieces, and access systems.

    Protect offshore assets with control and certainty

    Control Union
    1.

    Designed for offshore reality

    Inspections are grounded in real‑world exposure to splash zone conditions, wave loading, structural vibrations and vessel impact, ensuring findings reflect actual degradation rather than theoretical models.

    2.

    Focused on critical degradation

    Each campaign targets corrosion, fatigue cracking, loosened bolted connections and impact damage—the failure mechanisms that most commonly affect offshore steel structures.

    3.

    Scoped around operational needs

    The inspection programme is built around what the asset owner truly needs, delivering results that are directly applicable to maintenance planning and operational decision‑making.

    4.

    Integrity and safety combined

    Structural integrity checks and safety‑critical elements such as platforms, ladders and fall protection are assessed in a single mobilisation, reducing offshore visits and operational disruption.

    5.

    Multiple assets, one campaign

    BoP inspections cover both turbine‑related structures and offshore substations, enabling operators to address multiple assets within the same inspection window.

    The proof to your promise

    Toward control, insight, and certainty

    The strength lies in the combination of inspection expertise, advanced data systems, and global practical experience.

    Step 1

    Prior to the campaign, an intensive scoping phase is carried out in which client protocols, inspection objectives and reporting requirements define the full inspection scope.

    Step 2

    Inspections are performed using rope access, drones or remote monitoring, selected to match the structure, offshore conditions and risk level.

    Step 3

    All findings are documented in a clear report aligned with client specifications, providing condition statuses that support well‑informed maintenance and asset decisions.

    The proof to your promise

    A partner, not a checklist

    Control Union acts as a technical partner that flags findings beyond the agreed scope, so nothing is overlooked in a grey regulatory area.

    • Findings outside the agreed scope are always reported and discussed, closing potential blind spots before they escalate.

    • BoP inspections are less OEM-driven than turbine inspections, giving asset owners full control over priorities and frequency.

    • Reporting is structured around client systems with clear condition statuses, making results immediately usable for maintenance planning.

    Control Union
    Our Balance of Plant inspections are focused on structural response, degradation and failure mechanisms under real offshore loading conditions.
    Bernie Harms – Control Union
    Proof to your promise

    Frequently asked questions

    BoP inspections cover foundations, transition pieces, boat landings, access systems, secondary steel, coatings and, where relevant, offshore substations. Structural steelwork checks are combined with inspections of work platforms, ladders, handrails and fall-protection systems.

    Legislation requires asset owners to maintain a safe workplace but does not prescribe a fixed inspection interval. Frequency is determined by the owner based on asset condition, risk profile and operational exposure.

    Reports document all findings with a clear condition status per inspected element. Layout and detail level are aligned with client requirements, ensuring results are practical and directly usable for maintenance decisions.

    Get in touch with our experts

    Looking to learn more about our inspection capabilities? Submit the form below and we’ll reach out promptly.

    Control Union – marks & logo’s

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name*
    Let us know what you are thinking. Do you have a question for us? Feel free to ask.

    You may also find this interesting

    Explore related inspection services.

    Statutory offshore inspections

    Statutory offshore inspections

    Local knowledge

    Global coverage

    Control Union drives global trade forward. As an international and independent partner, we support traders, producers, brands, and logistics service providers in managing risk and safeguarding quality at every step of the supply chain.

    From raw material to final product, from processes and systems to installations, we provide insight, assurance, and trust in every link of the chain. We do this through inspections and audits, certification and verification, laboratory analyses, and pest management.

    Our global network of experts are embedded in international supply chains across dozens of sectors, including agriculture, food & feed, energy & biofuels, forestry, construction & infrastructure, textiles, maritime, and on- and offshore.

    Together, we build future-proof supply chains and confidence in global trade!

    105
    +
    Years of experience
    275
    +
    Offices and laboratories in 80 countries
    6000
    +
    Dedicated colleagues