Vattenfall and BASF have signed a contract with the Norwegian company Havfram to provide low-carbon transport and installation services for the Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms in the German North Sea.
Havfram will deploy one of its state-of-the-art, low-emission wind turbine installation vessels for the construction of the two wind farms. Havfram's new installation vessels, which are still under construction, are particularly efficient and support Vattenfall in its efforts to minimise CO2 emissions during the construction of wind farms.
Samira Barakat, Acting Head of Offshore Wind at Vattenfall:
“Vattenfall’s goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2040 requires that we also reduce greenhouse gas emissions along the entire value chain. This partnership with Havfram showcases our commitment to investing in assets that enable our wind farms to be developed in a sustainable manner. The use of a low-emission installation vessel is an important step on our path towards fossil freedom and we are pleased to work together with Havfram, a trusted partner that shares our strategic ambitions.”
Tobias Stäb, Director of BASF Renewable Energy GmbH, added:
“With the signature of this contract, we are one step closer to the realization of the Nordlicht projects. The Nordlicht wind parks play an important role in BASF's transformation towards carbon neutrality. The wind farms will supply our European chemical sites with renewable power and eventually enable BASF to increase production of low-carbon footprint chemical products. Thanks to the Havfram team for the collaboration!»
Even Larsen, EVP/CEO of Havfram Wind, said:
‘We are thrilled to have been selected for this substantial role in the Nordlicht cluster. The contract we signed today at the WindEnergy exhibition is a testament to Vattenfall's and BASF’s confidence in our capabilities in delivering excellent transport and installation services. We look forward to contributing to the success of this landmark project and working with our partners Vattenfall and BASF to drive the transition to sustainable energy in Europe.’
The Nordlicht wind farms are located about 85 kilometres north of the island of Borkum in the North Sea. With a combined capacity of 1,610 MW, their 112 turbines are capable of generating enough electricity each year to meet the needs of around 1.6 million German households. Subject to the final investment decision, expected in 2025, construction is set to begin in 2026. The wind farms are scheduled to go into operation in 2028.
About Nordlicht 1 and 2
BASF holds a 49 per cent stake in the Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farm projects. The Nordlicht wind project is being built without state subsidies and, with a total installed capacity of 1.6 gigawatts, represents Vattenfall’s largest offshore wind project to date. Vattenfall is responsible for the development and construction of the Nordlicht sites and plans to use its share of the electricity to provide fossil-free power to customers in Germany. BASF will use almost half of the electricity generated to supply its chemical production sites in Europe, particularly in Ludwigshafen.