Germany to Build Biggest Offshore Wind Farm

Swedish offshore wind developer Vattenfall has announced the final investment decision to proceed with the construction of Germany’s largest offshore wind farm, Nordlicht 1 and 2. The first phase, with a capacity of 980 MW, is set to begin construction in 2026 approximately 53 miles north of Borkum in the German North Sea. The second phase’s investment decision is pending permits. Vattenfall has also agreed to re-acquire 49 percent ownership in the project from BASF, with BASF securing a long-term supply of renewable electricity from the project.

Vattenfall’s Head of Business Area Wind, Helene Biström, emphasized the significance of the Nordlicht offshore wind cluster in enabling fossil freedom and supporting industrial decarbonization. The project aims to accelerate Germany’s energy transition, provide clean energy, drive innovation, and enhance sustainability in the sector. Vattenfall plans to use low-emission steel for the wind turbine towers at both wind farms to reduce their carbon footprint by 16 percent. The full project is expected to produce over 1.6 GW, with the first phase operational in 2028.

RWE’s CEO Markus Krebber recently called for Germany to lower its total target for offshore wind due to concerns about efficiency and rising grid connection costs. Germany currently has around 9 MW installed, with plans to reach 70 GW by 2045 for climate neutrality. Krebber suggested a more realistic target of just over 50 GW, but industry experts have rejected this idea. Germany is focused on revitalizing offshore development and driving sector growth after years of slow progress.

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