The Nordseecluster offshore wind project has reached a major milestone with installation of the first turbine foundation approximately 50km north of the German island of Juist. This achievement marks the kick-off of foundation installation for Nordseecluster A, the first phase of what is currently the largest offshore wind project off the German coast.
Developed by RWE in partnership with Norges Bank Investment Management, the cluster will boast a total capacity of up to 1.6 GW upon completion. The first phase – Nordseecluster A – will see the installation of 44 monopile foundations, each 85m long and weighing about 1500 metric tons, delivered from the Netherlands by Van Oord’s new Boreas vessel. Instead of a separate transition piece, an extended monopile and secondary steel are used – a design that reduces steel requirements.
Turbine installation for phase A – with a total capacity of 660 MW – is expected to start in 2026, with full commercial operation expected in early 2027. The second phase, Nordseecluster B, will add 900 MW from 60 wind turbines by 2029.
RWE holds a 51% stake in the project and manages construction and operation, while Norges Bank Investment Management owns 49%.
