DNV updates seismic design guidance as wind expands into earthquake-prone regions

DNV-RP-0585 Seismic design of wind power plants provides enhanced guidance for the design of offshore and onshore wind assets exposed to earthquake loading.

As wind power deployment expands into seismically active markets, particularly across the Asia Pacific, earthquake loading is increasingly becoming a key design consideration. 

Seismic events can significantly affect wind turbines, foundations, offshore substations, power cables and installation vessels, creating engineering challenges beyond those addressed by conventional wind and wave design approaches.

The updated recommended practice provides harmonized guidance for assessing and managing seismic risks throughout the design process. It complements existing DNV standards for wind turbines, support structures and offshore substations, while supporting projects designed in accordance with the IEC 61400 series.

Applicable to both onshore and offshore projects, DNV-RP-0585 provides guidance on seismic hazard assessment, design load cases, geotechnical considerations, analysis methods and post-earthquake actions. The recommended practice supports designers, developers, suppliers, purchasers, regulators and certification bodies involved in wind projects in seismically active regions worldwide.

The 2026 edition incorporates lessons learned from recent projects and from the ACE 2-EVOLUTION joint industry project (JIP), which brings together more than 20 companies from across the offshore wind value chain.

Key updates in the new edition include: enhanced guidance on seismic analysis methodologies and modelling requirements; updated recommendations for soil-structure interaction and foundation damping; clarifications on seismic loading, ground motion selection and post-processing requirements; and guidance for identifying critical design positions within large wind power plants. It also includes new recommendations for installation vessels operating in seismic regions; and an appendix summarizing local seismic design requirements in Japan.

DNV vice president renewables certification Mette Redanz said, “Wind power projects are increasingly being developed in regions where earthquake loading is a primary design driver rather than a secondary consideration.

“The updated recommended practice provides the industry with consistent and transparent methodologies for seismic design, enabling safer and more reliable wind power projects in some of the world’s most demanding environments.”

DNV head of offshore technology and innovation Marcus Klose said, “Effective seismic design requires close alignment between turbine, foundation and geotechnical disciplines.

“This update reflects insights gained through international collaboration and practical project experience, providing engineers with clearer guidance while supporting consistency and confidence across the industry.”