Vattenfall Advances Nordlicht Offshore Wind Foundations

In the offshore wind energy and large-scale renewable power generation sectors, Vattenfall has completed the first monopiles and transition pieces for Nordlicht I ahead of schedule. The milestone was achieved before offshore construction begins later this year and marks tangible progress for what will become Germany’s largest offshore wind farm.

Vattenfall Reaches Early Manufacturing Milestone
The early completion of the first foundation components was carried out by suppliers EEW and CS Wind. A total of 68 monopiles and transition pieces will be installed for Nordlicht I.

Each monopile measures up to 80.5 metres in length—comparable to a 20-storey building—and weighs up to 1,290 tonnes. The transition pieces, which connect the monopile foundations to the wind turbine towers, reach 23.7 metres in height and weigh approximately 362 tonnes.

Delivering these heavy steel structures ahead of schedule reduces risk in the offshore installation phase, where weather windows and vessel availability can significantly impact timelines.

Foundation Engineering for Large Offshore Wind Farms
Monopile foundations remain the dominant solution for fixed-bottom offshore wind farms in the North Sea due to their structural simplicity and suitability for shallow-to-medium water depths. Their design must withstand dynamic loads from wind, waves and turbine operation over a service life of 25 years or more.

For a project of this scale, manufacturing consistency, dimensional tolerances and welding quality are critical, as foundation deviations can affect tower alignment and long-term structural integrity.

Nordlicht Cluster: 1.6 GW Offshore Wind Capacity
The Nordlicht cluster consists of two offshore wind farms:

Together, they will provide more than 1.6 GW of installed capacity. Once fully operational, the cluster is expected to generate approximately 6 TWh of fossil-free electricity annually.

Nordlicht I is scheduled to become Germany’s largest offshore wind farm within the next three years. Development of the overall cluster is progressing following the binding permit for Nordlicht II and the final investment decision taken in January.

Contribution to Energy Security and Industrial Decarbonisation
With North Sea countries accelerating offshore wind deployment, large-scale projects such as Nordlicht form part of Europe’s broader energy transition strategy.

By delivering gigawatt-scale offshore wind capacity, the project contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels while supplying renewable electricity required for industrial electrification and long-term climate targets.

The early completion of the first monopiles demonstrates manufacturing readiness and supply-chain coordination—two key factors in executing large offshore wind projects within tight European decarbonisation timelines.

www.group.vattenfall.com