Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems has secured a major offshore wind turbine supply contract from RWE for the Vanguard East offshore wind farm project in the United Kingdom. Announced on March 10 2026, the agreement covers supply, delivery and commissioning of 92 units of V236-15.0 MW offshore wind turbines for the 1.38 GW Vanguard East wind farm, part of the wider Norfolk offshore wind zone off the coast of Norfolk in East Anglia.

The deal is a key milestone in the development of the project and follows RWE’s success in securing a Contract for Difference (CfD) in the UK’s Allocation Round 7. This is alongside a partnership with investment firm KKR to jointly deliver the Norfolk Vanguard East and West projects.

Located approximately 50-80 km offshore from the Norfolk coast, Vanguard East wind project will be capable of generating enough renewable electricity to power millions of homes once operational. The project also supports the UK’s long-term offshore wind expansion and decarbonization targets.

Project Overview

Vanguard East offshore wind farm is one of the flagship developments within the Norfolk offshore wind zone. The wind zone represents a cluster of large-scale projects designed to significantly expand the UK’s offshore wind generation capacity.

Under the turbine supply agreement, Vestas will manufacture and install its flagship V236-15.0 MW turbines, one of the largest offshore wind turbines currently available commercially. The contract includes the transport, installation support, and commissioning of the turbines, followed by a five-year comprehensive service agreement, with a longer-term operational support arrangement to follow.

The turbine deliveries for Vanguard East are expected to begin in late 2028, with full commissioning anticipated in 2030. This is however subject to the project reaching its final investment decision in 2026.

Why is the Vanguard East Offshore Wind Project Important?

Vanguard East wind farm is part of a broader portfolio of large offshore wind developments being advanced by RWE in the United Kingdom. The company has secured government-backed revenue support through the UK’s CfD mechanism, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated and significantly reduces project revenue risk. UK’s CfD is also supporting other offshore wind projects like East Anglia 3 that expects completion later this year.

Together with the Vanguard West project, Vanguard East represents roughly 2.76 GW of offshore wind capacity. This makes the development one of the largest renewable energy investments currently progressing in UK waters.

The projects also highlight the increasing collaboration between energy developers and institutional investors. KKR’s acquisition of a 50 percent stake in both projects reflects growing interest from global infrastructure investors in large-scale offshore wind assets.

Financing Structure for RWE’s Vanguard East Wind Project

Vanguard East offshore wind project is being financed through a combination of equity investment and non-recourse project financing.

Key financing aspects include:

• Government support: Contract for Difference (CfD) secured in UK Allocation Round 7
• Equity investors: RWE and KKR (50% partnership agreement)
• Debt financing: Non-recourse project finance expected to be raised ahead of final investment decision
• Final Investment Decision (FID): targeted for summer 2026
• Vanguard East wind farm construction start: expected after FID, with offshore works anticipated from 2027 onward.

Who is Involved in the Vanguard East Wind Project?

Developer

• RWE – also functions as Vanguard East wind farm operator

Equity Partner

• KKR

Turbine Supplier

• Vestas Wind Systems – supplier of 92 units of V236-15.0 MW offshore wind turbines

Legal Advisors

• Watson Farley & Williams – legal advisor on RWE-Vestas turbine supply agreement for the Vanguard East wind farm project
• Hengeler Mueller – Germany legal advisers on the RWE‑KKR offshore wind JV.
• Norton Rose Fulbright LLP – UK legal advisor on RWE‑KKR offshore wind JV.

Government and Market Framework

• UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as Contract for Difference scheme administrator

Grid/Offshore Wind Zone

• Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone – Offshore development area off East Anglia

Project Factsheet

Project Name: Vanguard East Offshore Wind Farm

Location: North Sea, approx. 50-80 km off the Norfolk coast, UK

Installed capacity: 1.38 GW

Wind turbines: 92 units of V236-15.0 MW turbines

Turbine supplier: Vestas Wind Systems

Developer: RWE

Equity partner: KKR

Government support: UK CfD Allocation Round 7

FID target: Summer 2026

Turbine deliveries: Expected from Q4 2028

Expected commissioning: 2030