Vattenfall has confirmed its final investment decision for the Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms, a major step forward for renewable energy in Germany. As part of Germany’s largest offshore wind project, this development will also secure BASF’s long-term access to renewable electricity, ensuring cleaner power for industrial production across Europe.
Nordlicht 1 and 2 offshore wind farms project fact sheet
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Project name: Nordlicht 1 & 2 Offshore Wind Farms
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Location: Offshore, Germany
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Developer: Vattenfall
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Major partner: BASF
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Construction start: 2026
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Expected completion: 2028
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Power capacity: 1.6 GW (Nordlicht 1 to be Germany’s largest offshore wind project)
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Sustainability feature: Wind turbines with low-emission steel (16% carbon footprint reduction)
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.
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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.
