The foundation installation for the Thor offshore wind farm has been successfully completed, signaling significant progress in the development of what will be Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm. This ambitious project makes strange bedfellows of RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. RWE has a controlling majority with a 51% shareholding, Norges Bank the other 49%. Once fully operational in 2027, the Thor offshore wind farm will generate enough green electricity to supply more than one million Danish households.
The project is impressive not just for its size, but for its dedication to the sustainable path forward. This wind farm will be the first offshore facility in the world to deploy 36 steel turbine towers. These towers are produced with up to 60% less embodied carbon. Even better, some of the turbines will be equipped with recyclable rotor blades, adding to the environmental credentials of the project.
Project Overview and Timeline
Installation of the turbines is expected to begin in early 2026 from the Port of Esbjerg located in Denmark. Their operations and maintenance plan for the Thor project aims to generate about 50 to 60 local jobs. This will happen at a new RWE service base, which is being built at the Port of Thorsminde. Once built, this new service building will be done by early 2026. This superfast timeline will ensure a cascade of new local jobs as the project gets underway.
So far, coordination for the offshore operations has been overseen from the Danish Port of Thyborøn. In the last half-year Van Oord’s installation vessel, MPI Adventure, has made a major impact on the project’s offshore foundation work. For sure, its extraordinary advocacy has been indispensable in pushing progress along. In July, RWE successfully installed the 2,600-tonne offshore substation topside on its jacket foundation, marking another key milestone in the construction process.
Commitment to Sustainability
“We are very pleased that our joint project is moving forward,” said Sven Utermöhlen, Chief Operating Officer of RWE Renewables.
“Our Thor project is progressing very well, with offshore works on schedule. We look forward to starting turbine installation next year, which will mark the next major milestone in delivering Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm to date. I would like to thank our partner, Norges Bank Investment Management, as well as our suppliers and colleagues for their dedication to collaboration, quality, and safety.” – Sven Utermöhlen
This commitment to sustainability is evident in the cutting-edge approaches being used across the project. By utilizing lower carbon materials and incorporating recyclable components, the Thor offshore wind farm aims to set a new standard in environmentally responsible energy production.
Economic and Social Impact
The future Thor offshore wind farm too is projected to make significant economic contributions to the local community. The project will create permanent jobs at the proposed service building located in Thorsminde. Additionally, it will assist Denmark in reaching its renewable energy target and securing its energy supply. The nation is increasingly advancing into more renewable and sustainable energy trajectories. Projects like Thor are essential to creating the sustainable future we all want and need.