First Monopile Stands at 660 MW Nordseecluster A Offshore Wind Farm in Germany

July 28, 2025, by Adnan Memija

The first turbine foundation has been installed at Nordseecluster A, the first phase of the 1.6 GW Nordseecluster offshore wind development in Germany.

The monopiles were shipped from the heavy-lift terminal in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, to the construction site in the German North Sea by Van Oord’s new offshore installation vessel Boreas.

Four monopiles can be loaded in one shipment. Each monopile foundation, delivered by China’s Dajin Heavy Industry, measures 85 metres in length and weighs approximately 1,500 tonnes.

Rather than using a monopile foundation topped with an overlapping, separate transition piece, extended single monopiles are installed, and secondary steel structures, such as boat landings, are fitted offshore. This TP-less design reduces the total amount of steel needed, according to RWE.

The Nordseecluster project will be constructed in two phases. Van Oord has kicked off monopile installation for the 660 MW Nordseecluster A, with its vessel Boreas installing the first turbine foundation.

“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,” said Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind.

First TP-Less Monopiles for Nordseecluster A Offshore Wind Farm Arrive in Port of Eemshaven

Foundations

Installation of the 44 Vestas V236-15.0 MW wind turbines is expected to start in 2026, with commercial operation beginning in early 2027.

The second phase, Nordseecluster B, will contribute an additional 900 MW through its 60 turbines, commencing commercial operation in early 2029.

Nordseecluster is a joint offshore wind project between RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. RWE is responsible for the construction and operation of the offshore wind farms throughout their entire life cycle.

Once completed, Nordseecluster is planned to generate enough green electricity to supply the equivalent of 1.6 million German households.