Vattenfall, an offshore wind energy developer, has announced progress on the Nordlicht offshore wind cluster, set to be Germany’s largest wind project. Construction is slated to begin later this year, following the irrevocable permit granted by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). In March 2025, Vattenfall confirmed its investment decision for the project, contingent on obtaining necessary permits. The company also agreed to reacquire shares in the Nordlicht cluster from BASF, which will ensure BASF has a long-term supply of renewable electricity for its chemical production in Europe.
Located over 50 miles north of Borkum in the North Sea, the Nordlicht project consists of two phases, with the first phase, Nordlicht I, expected to generate 980 MW, making it Germany’s largest offshore wind farm upon completion. The second phase, Nordlicht II, will add another 630 MW, with both phases anticipated to be operational by 2028, contributing over 1.6 GW to the national energy supply and producing around 6 TWh of electricity annually.
Catrin Jung, Senior Vice President at Vattenfall, described this initiative as a pivotal moment for enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and reducing fossil fuel dependence. Despite challenges facing the offshore wind sector in Germany and Northern Europe, Vattenfall remains committed to advancing renewable energy projects.
Germany aims for 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 but has faced delays, currently holding approximately 9.2 GW. The government has adjusted its offshore wind auction plans for 2026, reducing the target from 6 GW to between 2.5 and 5 GW due to a lack of bids in recent allocation rounds. Meanwhile, Vattenfall is also progressing on the Zeevonk wind farm in the Netherlands, which will have a capacity of 2 GW and aims to produce green hydrogen, although its completion has been pushed to 2032.
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