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The Nordseecluster offshore wind project has achieved a key milestone with the successful installation of its first turbine foundation, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Germany’s Juist Island. The monopiles were transported from Eemshaven, Netherlands, to the site in the German North Sea by Van Oord’s new offshore installation vessel, Boreas, which can carry up to four monopiles per shipment. Each foundation is 85 meters long and weighs around 1,500 metric tons—roughly the weight of 1,000 small cars.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind said, “With the 1.6-gigawatt Nordseecluster we together with our partner Norges Bank Investment Management are delivering what is currently the largest offshore wind project off the German coast. Installing the first monopile is a significant milestone for the entire team, following years of planning and preparation. My thanks go to our supply chain partners and all colleagues who contributed to this success.”
Unlike traditional designs that use separate transition pieces atop monopiles, the Nordseecluster employs an extended single-monopile structure. Secondary steel components, such as boat landings, will be added offshore. This “transition piece-less” approach reduces the total steel required for construction.
The project will be developed in two phases. With the first monopile in place, foundation installation for Nordseecluster A is now underway. Turbine installation for this phase—comprising 44 turbines with a combined capacity of 660 megawatts (MW)—is set to begin in 2026, with commercial operations starting in early 2027.
Nordseecluster B, the second phase, will add 60 turbines and 900 MW, targeting commercial operation by early 2029.
Once fully commissioned, the Nordseecluster will provide up to 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy—enough to power approximately 1.6 million German households. The project is a joint venture between RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%), with RWE overseeing construction and long-term operations.
