RWE, a renowned global player in the offshore wind sector, has taken a significant stride in fortifying its presence in the German offshore market. The company has assumed full ownership of the Nordseecluster, a cluster of offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 1.6 gigawatts (GW) located in the German North Sea. Previously co-developed with Canadian company Northland Power, RWE has acquired Northland Power's 49% shareholding in the cluster for a purchase price of approximately €35 million.
By becoming the sole owner of the Nordseecluster, RWE aligns with its ambitious goal of further expanding its position as a global leader in offshore wind. As Germany's first gigawatt-scale offshore wind cluster, it grants RWE substantial size and scale. Upon the operationalization of the Nordseecluster in 2027 and 2029, RWE will play a pivotal role in Germany's decarbonization efforts by generating approximately six terawatt hours of green electricity annually. Looking ahead, RWE aims to participate in the upcoming large German offshore wind auctions later this year, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy development.
The development of the Nordseecluster will occur in two phases: Nordseecluster A and B. Currently, two wind farms (N-3.8 and N-3.7) forming Nordseecluster A, with a combined capacity of 660 megawatts (MW), are in the permit application phase. Offshore construction for Nordseecluster A is anticipated to commence in 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin in early 2027. The second phase, Nordseecluster B, will comprise two additional wind farms (N-3.6 and N-3.5), contributing an additional 900 MW of capacity starting from 2029. RWE plans to participate in the German government's offshore wind auctions this year for both sites of Nordseecluster B, exercising its step-in rights.
RWE has already selected preferred suppliers for the main components of all four sites, with Vestas contracted to deliver 104 offshore wind turbines, each with a capacity of 15 MW. The company anticipates significant economies of scale and synergies throughout the development, construction, and operation phases of the Nordseecluster. Additionally, RWE will leverage its comprehensive in-house capabilities to provide customized green solutions, supporting the decarbonization efforts of industrial and municipal customers.
Remarkably, the Nordseecluster will be in close proximity to the existing Nordsee One wind farm, a joint operation between RWE and Northland Power, with a capacity of 332 MW. By capitalizing on the synergies between these neighboring wind farms, RWE aims to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations in the region, further advancing the transition to a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.
