Vattenfall Unveils Ambitious Plans for Germany’s Largest Offshore Wind Project, Nordlicht 1

Swedish energy giant Vattenfall is making waves with its latest venture into the German North Sea, where it plans to develop two offshore wind farms: Nordlicht 1 and Nordlicht 2.Nordlicht 1 is poised to be a game-changer, as it will stand as Germany’s largest offshore wind farm once completed. Construction kicks off in 2026, with both projects aiming for full operation by 2028.

Together,these wind farms will boast a staggering net capacity exceeding 1.6 gigawatts (GW), generating around 6 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity each year—enough to power approximately 1.6 million homes across Germany.

In an interesting twist, Vattenfall has agreed to reacquire the 49% stake in the Nordlicht cluster that BASF had purchased back in 2024. Although BASF is stepping back from ownership, they’ve secured long-term access to renewable energy from this initiative—a smart move considering their need for sustainable power in chemical production throughout Europe.

This reliable energy source will help BASF meet growing demands while maintaining a commitment to clean energy practices.

On another note, Vattenfall has struck a conditional deal with Danish turbine manufacturer vestas for the supply and installation of an impressive lineup of 112 V236-15.0 MW turbines for both nordlicht projects.

What’s especially exciting about this project is its focus on sustainability; the turbine towers will be constructed using low-emission steel that cuts carbon emissions by about 16%.The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) indicates that this steel will have a CO2 intensity of just 0.9 tons per ton produced—far better than customary steel used by Vestas which typically emits around 2.6 tons per ton.

helene Bistrom, who leads Wind operations at Vattenfall, emphasized how significant the Nordlicht cluster is for advancing fossil-free energy solutions in Germany. She believes this initiative not only accelerates Germany’s green transition but also fosters innovation and sustainability within industrial decarbonization efforts.

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