All monopile foundations for the wind turbines have been installed at Nordseecluster A, the first phase of the 1.6 GW Nordseecluster offshore wind project in Germany, owned by RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management.
Each of the 44 monopile foundations measures about 85 meters in length and weighs an average of 1,500 tonnes.
Initially stored in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, the foundations were transported by Van Oord’s installation vessels Boreas (monopiles) and Aeolus (secondary steel) to the construction site, where they were installed.
Instead of using foundations with separate transition pieces, extended monopiles were installed. Secondary steel structures, including the boat landing, main access platform, and internal cassette, were attached offshore.
“The completion of the foundation installation marks a key step towards implementing our 1.6-gigawatts Nordseecluster, the largest offshore wind project off the German coast. I thank the RWE team, Van Oord, and all partners for this success,” stated Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind.
RWE reports that the offshore works on the 660 MW Nordseecluster A are on schedule.
In addition to the wind turbine foundations, the monopile foundation for one of the two offshore substations has been laid. The second jacket foundation is planned for installation by year-end, with the two substation topsides expected in 2026.
Preparatory soil investigations are being conducted before the installation of the wind farm’s internal cabling. Approximately 70 kilometers of cables are to be laid early next year, with turbine installation beginning in summer 2026.
Nordseecluster A, featuring 44 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, is slated for full commissioning in 2027. Nordseecluster B will add 900 MW with its 60 turbines, scheduled to begin operation in 2029.
RWE is overseeing the construction and operation of the Nordseecluster offshore wind farms throughout their life cycle.
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