RWE lays first wind turbine foundation for 1.6 GW North Sea cluster

The energy company RWE has laid the first foundations for a wind turbine around 50 km north of the North Sea island of Juist. This was announced by RWE on Monday. The wind power plant is one of a total of 104 wind turbines in the 1.6 GW North Sea cluster, which is to be built and commissioned in two phases. The construction of the plant is considered to be the largest offshore wind project in the North Sea.

It took around four years of planning and preparation before the monopile of the North Sea cluster's first wind turbine could be installed. The foundations are on average 85 m long and weigh 1500 tons. Four of these monopiles can be transported per load. This is done using the offshore installation vessel "Boreas" from the company Van Oord, which transports the monopiles from the Dutch heavy load terminal in Eemshaven to their destinations.

The monopiles are installed in one piece and are therefore longer than usual. At sea, they are then fitted with additional steel structures. This guarantees high strength while at the same time saving on steel.

Two construction phases planned

The North Sea cluster will be built in two phases. Construction of section A has now begun with the installation of the first foundation. 44 wind turbines are to be erected in the first phase in 2026, after which they will be commissioned in 2027. This section should then be able to generate 660 MW.

If this is successful, the second phase B is to be built with an additional 60 turbines. This could be the case from 2029. Around 900 MW of capacity will then be added. In total, the North Sea cluster is expected to generate around 1.6 GW. RWE estimates that this could supply around 1.6 million households with environmentally friendly electricity.

The North Sea cluster is a joint project between RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. RWE holds a majority stake of 51 percent. RWE is responsible for the construction and operation of the plant.

(olb)