Germany's largest offshore wind project Nordlicht 1 and 2

Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms is a project being developed by Vattenfall to expand renewable energy capacity in Germany. As part of the country’s largest offshore wind initiative, the project will support BASF’s long-term access to renewable electricity, contributing to cleaner power for industrial operations across Europe.

Europe’s offshore wind sector continues to grow, with projects like the Hollandse Kust West Site VI offshore wind farm in the Netherlands leading the way. Developed by Ecowende, this 760 MW wind farm combines engineering and ecological innovation, using eco-friendly scour protection to create habitats for marine life while installing 52 V236-15.0 MW turbines off the coast of IJmuiden. The project demonstrates how offshore wind infrastructure can support both renewable energy goals and environmental sustainability.

Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms project fact sheet

Project name: Nordlicht 1 & 2 Offshore Wind Farms
Location: Offshore, Germany
Developer: Vattenfall
Major partner: BASF
Construction start: 2026
Expected completion: 2028
Power capacity: 1.6 GW (Nordlicht 1 to be Germany’s largest offshore wind project)
Sustainability feature: Wind turbines with low-emission steel (16% carbon footprint reduction)

Vattenfall launches Eemshaven Base for Nordlicht 1 & 2 Offshore wind farms

Reported in August 2025 – Vattenfall has appointed EMS Maritime Offshore (EMO) to operate a new site in Eemshaven, which will serve as the operations and maintenance base for the 1.6 GW Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. The location was chosen for its strong infrastructure, providing efficient access for service operation vessels (SOVs) and crew transfer vessels (CTVs).

Construction of the Nordlicht wind farms is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first turbines expected online in autumn 2027 and full commissioning by 2028. Cyril Moss, Vattenfall’s Nordlicht project head, said:

Reliable, experienced partners are essential for the construction and operation of a large offshore project like Nordlicht 1 and 2. EMO brings deep German expertise and a long-standing presence in the offshore sector.

The EMO facility will start construction this year and is expected to be completed by October 2026. It will include storage, workshops, and office space, built to sustainability standards with solar panels, heat pumps, and heat recovery ventilation. EMO will also provide port services for SOVs and CTVs under a parallel service contract. Marcel Diekmann, EMO managing director, highlighted the facility’s role in the energy transition:

By hosting Vattenfall’s operations, we are strengthening the logistics chain and supporting Germany’s shift to clean energy.

Eemshaven’s proximity to the German North Sea exclusive economic zone will shorten vessel journeys, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while improving operational efficiency. Vattenfall has already awarded contracts for turbines to Vestas, transport and installation to Havfram, and cabling to TKF, ensuring the project progresses smoothly toward its 2028 operational target.

Germany’s largest offshore wind project Nordlicht 1 and 2 moves forward as Vattenfall confirms investment

Reported in March 2025 – Construction of the Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farms is set to begin in 2026, with Nordlicht 1 poised to become Germany’s largest offshore wind project. Both farms are expected to be fully operational by 2028.

With a combined net capacity exceeding 1.6 gigawatts (GW), these projects will contribute significantly to Germany’s renewable energy targets and help meet the country’s growing demand for clean electricity.

Located 85 kilometres north of the island of Borkum in the German North Sea, the Nordlicht project consists of two separate sites: Nordlicht 1, with a capacity of around 980 MW, and Nordlicht 2, with around 630 MW. Once fully operational, electricity production is expected to total around 6 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually.

Helene Biström, Head of Business Area Wind at Vattenfall, emphasised the importance of this development:

The Nordlicht offshore wind cluster is a significant milestone in our journey toward fossil-free energy. By accelerating Germany’s energy transition and supporting industrial decarbonisation, we will provide clean, reliable energy while fostering innovation and sustainability in the sector. We look forward to delivering this important project in close collaboration with our supply chain partners.

Vattenfall and BASF secure renewable energy supply for Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms

In a strategic move, Vattenfall will repurchase shares in the Nordlicht cluster from BASF. The company had initially acquired them in 2024.

At the same time, BASF acquired access to a long-term source of renewable electricity, which strengthened the connection. This agreement will provide renewable power for BASF’s chemical production in Europe at a time when more supply is needed.

Last year September, Vattenfall and BASF awarded a contract to Havfram for transportation and installation support of wind turbines at the Nordlicht wind farm cluster. Havfram will install 68 Vestas V236-15.0 MW wind turbines for Nordlicht 1 starting in the summer of 2027, while Nordlicht 2 will have 44 of the same turbines installed from the summer of 2028.

The company will use one of its low-emission wind turbine installation vessels, reinforcing Vattenfall’s commitment to sustainable energy development. Samira Barakat, Acting Head of Offshore Wind at Vattenfall, highlighted the significance of this partnership:

This partnership with Havfram showcases our commitment to investing in assets that enable our wind farms to be developed in a sustainable manner. The use of a low-emission installation vessel is an important step on our path towards fossil freedom.

Sustainable innovation in Germany’s largest offshore wind project

One of the standout features of the Nordlicht wind farms is the commitment to sustainability. The turbines will incorporate low-emission steel, reducing their overall carbon footprint by approximately 16%. The final investment decision for Nordlicht 2 has been made on a conditional basis, pending the receipt of the necessary permit.

Germany and Europe’s offshore wind ambitions

Germany has been expanding its offshore wind capacity to meet its ambitious renewable energy goals. The country aims to have at least 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030, with a long-term goal of 70 GW by 2045. The Nordlicht cluster will play a crucial role in achieving these targets.

Across Europe, wind power is seeing massive investments. Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands are also scaling up their offshore wind capabilities. The North Sea, often referred to as Europe’s “powerhouse,” hosts some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, including the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the UK, which, upon completion, will generate around 3.6 GW of power.