The Nordseecluster A offshore wind project completed its foundation phase at the end of last week, finalising the installation of two offshore substation foundations. Each jacket structure consists of four piles and a transition piece, forming the base for the topsides planned for a later stage.
The foundation components were loaded at the Port of Rotterdam and transported on an 18-hour voyage to the installation site in the German North Sea. With individual weights exceeding 2,000 tonnes, the transport and lifting sequence was carried out by the semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir, operated by Heerema Marine Contractors.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, said that nearly 290 personnel supported the campaign, enabling the installation work to progress efficiently. With the foundations now in place, preparations are underway for the two topsides, scheduled for 2026, while ongoing soil investigations support the internal cabling programme. Around 70 km of cable is expected to be laid early next year.
Several suppliers contributed to the first-phase substation package. Atlantique Offshore Energy, the marine energy division of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, was selected to deliver the two substations. The substation foundations were manufactured by Rosetti Marino following a contract awarded in September 2023.
With all foundations for the 660 MW Nordseecluster A now installed, the project is preparing for the turbine phase. The site will host 44 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, with full commissioning targeted for 2027. The second phase, Nordseecluster B, will add 900 MW from 60 turbines.
The entire Nordseecluster development is jointly owned by RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management.
