The North Sea OFW One GmbH N-9.4 offshore wind project is a 1 GW concession awarded to TotalEnergies by Germany’s Federal Network Agency in June 2025, located 150 km northwest of Heligoland and earmarked for cluster development alongside the adjacent N-9.1 and N-9.2 sites. Since the award, TotalEnergies has launched a strategic review of all German offshore wind concessions acquired since 2023, triggered by significant grid connection delays announced by German transmission system operators — a complication that has cast uncertainty over the development timeline for N-9.4 and the broader cluster.
Industry Pressure and TotalEnergies’ Public Stance
The mounting regulatory strain facing Europe’s offshore wind sector has become increasingly visible even as projects such as TotalEnergies’ 1.5 GW Centre Manche 2 offshore wind farm in Normandy advance through permitting. Germany’s offshore wind lobby group BWO has called for legal reform to allow developers to voluntarily hand back unused concessions, warning that up to €50 billion worth of projects risk delay without legislative action. A joint investigation by Sueddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcaster NDR reported in May 2026 that TotalEnergies and BP had lost interest in their German offshore portfolios due to deteriorating regulatory conditions. TotalEnergies pushed back publicly, stating its strategy to develop offshore wind in Germany had not changed, while continuing its dialogue with German authorities on feasible development conditions.
Project Overview
- Project Name: North Sea OFW One GmbH N-9.4 Offshore Wind Concession
- Location: North Sea, approximately 150 km northwest of Heligoland, Germany
- Developer/Owner: TotalEnergies SE (as shareholder of North Sea OFW One GmbH)
- Total Cost/Value: Not disclosed
- Scale/Capacity: 1 GW; 141 km² concession area; mandatory overplanting of 10 to 20% above grid connection capacity
- Construction Start: Not yet confirmed; subject to strategic review and TSO grid connection resolution
- Expected Completion: Not disclosed
- Funding/Financing: Not disclosed; €18 million conservation payment due to German federal government in 2026; €8.1 million per year for 20 years to grid operator from commissioning
- Current Status: In strategic review; TotalEnergies engaged in dialogue with German authorities on development conditions
- Key Milestone: Concession awarded June 17, 2025; cluster development strategy confirmed alongside N-9.1 and N-9.2 sites
Project Team
- TotalEnergies SE — Developer and concession holder (via North Sea OFW One GmbH)
- North Sea OFW One GmbH — Project company holding the N-9.4 concession
- RWE — Former co-developer on adjacent N-9.1 and N-9.2 sites (withdrew as part of strategic portfolio review)
- German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) — Concession awarding authority
- German transmission system operators (TSOs) — Grid connection responsibility; source of delay triggering strategic review
- BWO (Bundesverband Offshore-Windenergie) — Industry lobby calling for site reallocation legislation
Reported 18th June 2025: On June 17, 2025, it was announced that TotalEnergies, as part of North Sea OFW One GmbH, won the offshore wind N‑9.4 concession from Germany’s Federal Network Agency. Located some 150 km northwest of Heligoland, this 141 km² site is set to generate up to 1 GW of clean, renewable energy for 25 years (with an option to extend to 35 years) . What’s more, this isn’t just another spot on the map, it is a symbol of Germany’s dedication to green energy and TotalEnergies’ expanding role in powering the future.
Clustered for Success
Interestingly, N‑9.4 is nestled right next to the N‑9.1 and N‑9.2 zones, where TotalEnergies and RWE already work together. Because of this proximity, TotalEnergies plans to build all three zones as a unified cluster. By doing so, they’ll streamline logistics, share infrastructure, and reduce costs. This will benefit both the planet and end users. Interestingly, this auction introduced a mandatory “over planting” requirement, a first in Germany, meaning they’ll install 10–20 % more capacity than the grid connection can handle. In essence, this boosts reliability by having spare capacity during peak conditions.
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Financial and Environmental Promises
Plus, Offshore Wind One GmbH has pledged €18 million in 2026 to support marine conservation and sustainable fishing. Then, after the site goes live, they’ll also pay €8.1 million annually over 20 years to support Germany’s transmission operator . Yet, there’s a hitch, German grid operators have announced delays in the connection timeline. As a result, TotalEnergies is conducting a strategic review of its concessions since 2023 and proactively discussing revised development timelines with the German government.
Growing Clean Energy Ambitions
Ultimately, the N‑9.4 concession fits into TotalEnergies’ broader goal: delivering dependable, low-carbon energy. As of March 2025, the company had 28 GW of renewable power installed and is on track to hit 35 GW by year’s end, aiming for 100 TWh of clean electricity by 2030 . Moreover, its global offshore wind portfolio now reaches 23 GW, spanning bottom-fixed farms in the UK, France, Taiwan, the U.S., and more, building momentum toward a greener, more sustainable energy future.
Also Read: Ørsted Discontinues Hornsea 4 Offshore Wind Project — What Does It Mean?
TotalEnergies N-9.4 offshore wind Project Overview
Project Name & Operator: North Sea OFW One GmbH (TotalEnergies shareholding)
Location: Approximately 150 km northwest of Heligoland, North Sea
Site Area: 141 km² (141 square kilometers)
Installed Capacity: 1 GW of offshore wind generation
Concession Duration: 25 years initial term, extendable up to 35 years
Cluster Strategy:
Site is adjacent to N‑9.1 and N‑9.2 (TotalEnergies + RWE). Enables shared infrastructure and reduced costs
Key Payments & Environmental Funding:
One-off €18 million payment in 2026 to support marine conservation and eco-friendly fishing
€8.1 million annually for 20 years to the grid operator (from commissioning)
Auction Highlights:
Zero-subsidy bidding attracted multiple participants
Mandatory overplanting of turbines: 10–20% more capacity than grid allows—to ensure redundancy and flexibility
Winning bid reported at €180 million
Grid Connection:
Will link via TenneT’s NOR‑9‑4 (BalWin 5) offshore grid, expected in service by 2032
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