First monopile foundation installed for 1.6 GW Offshore Wind Farm in Germany

The first turbine foundation has been successfully installed for the 1.6 GW Nordseecluster offshore wind project around 50 kilometres north of the German island of Juist.

The monopiles were shipped from the heavy-lift terminal in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, to the construction site in the German North Sea by Van Oord’s brand-new offshore installation vessel Boreas. The wind project will be constructed in two phases. Foundation installation works for Nordseecluster A as now kicked-off with the successful installation of the first monopile. 

The installation of the 44 wind turbines is expected to commence in 2026, with commercial operation scheduled to begin in early 2027. After full commissioning, Nordseecluster A will have a total capacity of 660 MW. The second expansion stage, Nordseecluster B, will contribute an additional 900 MW through its 60 wind turbines, commencing commercial operation in early 2029.

The facility will be able to generate enough green electricity to supply the equivalent of 1.6 million German households. Nordseecluster is a joint offshore wind project between RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%). RWE is responsible for the construction and operation of the Nordseecluster offshore wind farms throughout their entire life cycle.