Ørsted’s offshore wind farm, Borkum Riffgrund 3, has officially commenced power generation, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to expand renewable energy in Germany. This facility is located almost 72 km from the German North Sea coast. In doing so, it ushers in their country’s energy transition by providing its first-ever electricity to the national grid. The project is a testament to cutting-edge engineering and visionary planning as Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind farm operator, further builds its offshore wind pipeline.
Borkum Riffgrund 3 is approximately 75 square kilometers. It features an impressive array of 83 next-generation wind turbines, rated at 11 megawatts (MW) apiece. These turbines are directly connected to the DolWin epsilon offshore converter platform. TenneT, the German transmission system operator, runs this platform through a 66 kilovolt (kV) interconnection. When completed, this project will be Ørsted’s first offshore wind farm in Germany. TenneT successfully built the project without an offshore substation, demonstrating remarkable innovations in design and construction techniques.
Construction and Components
Building Borkum Riffgrund 3 was a pan-European effort, with components coming from different countries—including facilities in the United Kingdom to Brussels to France. The wind turbines and their foundations were manufactured in Danmark and Deutschland, respectively, assuring the best quality materials came to bear on this project. Inspection of DNCA cables needed to ensure the proper operation of the wind farm which arrived from France and Germany. At the same time, installation vessels transited from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Such an approach leads to deep regional collaboration. It is a testament to Ørsted’s commitment to Europeanising the renewable energy industry. The project’s unique and diverse supply chain made all the difference in keeping the project on track for timely completion and full operational readiness.
Corporate Power Purchase Agreements
Realizing Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) is another important feature of the Borkum Riffgrund 3 project. These contracts range from ten to 25 years. Through this, they hope to establish price stability for the property and their future customers. By securing long-term contracts, Ørsted aims to mitigate market volatility and ensure consistent energy supply, aligning with its sustainability goals.
Beyond just the immediate problems faced there, the expected effects of Borkum Riffgrund 3 on Germany’s energy landscape are huge. This addition will more than double Ørsted’s installed offshore wind capacity in Germany. By the beginning of 2026, that should grow to around 2.5 gigawatts (GW). This new capacity can power the equivalent of 2.5 million American homes, helping to further the nation’s renewable energy goals by leaps and bounds.