Vattenfall takes FID on North Sea Nordlicht wind farm project, orders first turbines

Vestas will provide 68 V236-15.0 MW wind turbines for Vattenfall’s Nordlicht 1 offshore wind project in the German North Sea.

The agreement covers supply, installation and commissioning of the turbines and a five-year service and warranty arrangement, followed by 25 years of operational support.

The order for Nordlicht 1 totals 1,020 MW, comprising a grid connection capacity of 980 MW and excess of 40 MW that can be used to manage the connection capacity more efficiently when needed.

To reduce the wind turbine towers’ carbon footprint, some components will be manufactured using low-emission steel made from scrapped steel melted in an electric arc furnace, which is fully powered by wind energy.

The Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farm area is 85 km north off the island of Borkum. In June 2024, Vestas and Vattenfall signed a conditional order agreement for both locations.

Construction of Nordlicht 1 is due to start next year, with the wind turbines installed in 2027, followed by full operations at the wind farm in 2028.

Nordlicht 2 will have a capacity of 630 MW. Here, FID has been taken on a conditional basis, Vattenfall said, pending the receipt of the required permit.