Vattenfall has completed the installation of all 68 foundations for the Nordlicht I offshore wind farm in the German North Sea ahead of schedule. The final monopile was installed at the end of September and all transition pieces have now also been installed, marking the completion of one of the project’s key offshore construction phases. Each foundation consists of a monopile anchored in the seabed and a transition piece connecting it to the future wind turbine tower.
About Nordlicht
Located around 85 kilometres north of the island of Borkum, Nordlicht I will have an installed capacity of around 980 MW and is set to become Germany’s largest individual offshore wind farm.
Nordlicht I forms part of Vattenfall’s Nordlicht offshore wind cluster. Together with Nordlicht II, with a planned capacity of around 630 MW, the cluster will have a combined installed capacity of more than 1.6 GW.
Once fully commissioned, the project will help meet growing demand for renewable electricity and contribute to a more secure and fossil-free energy system in Europe by generating around six terawatt hours of electricity annually.
David Flood, Head of BU Offshore at Vattenfall: “Reaching milestones like this one shows that offshore wind projects can move from plans to reality through strong collaboration across the entire value chain. Nordlicht is more than an offshore wind project. It is a major investment in Germany’s energy future and an important contribution to Europe’s transition to renewable electricity. By delivering large volumes of locally produced renewable power, Nordlicht will help strengthen energy security, support industrial transformation and contribute to Europe’s long-term competitiveness."
Rene Schuster, Package Manager Foundations Nordlicht at Vattenfall: “With the installation of the final foundation, we have successfully completed the first of the most complex construction phases of Nordlicht I. What were, just a few months ago, individual components in fabrication halls and ports now form the foundation for Germany’s largest offshore wind farm. Seeing the wind farm take shape step by step out at sea is a special moment for the entire project team.”
Installation of the foundations for the Nordlicht I offshore wind farm
The foundations were manufactured by EEW Special Pipe Constructions and CS WIND Offshore, while DEME was responsible for transporting and installing the monopiles and transition pieces offshore.
Work is also progressing across the wider Nordlicht supply chain. Production of cables by TKF and turbine towers by Vestas is underway, with the first tower sections already delivered to Esbjerg. Blade and nacelle production will start in the coming months, while preparations for Nordlicht II are also advancing according to plan. First power from the Nordlicht cluster is expected from 2028, with full commissioning planned for 2029.
Turbine tower sections / Source: Vestas
With the foundations now in place, Nordlicht is taking shape not only as Germany's largest offshore wind farm, but also as a project that incorporates sustainability measures throughout its construction. Parts of the towers are manufactured using low-emission steel. During foundation installation, extensive measures have also been deployed to reduce impacts on the marine environment.
Environmental monitoring is carried out throughout construction, including monitoring of birds and marine mammals. Radar, camera and acoustic systems are also being used to gather data on wildlife activity in and around the project area.
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