Vattenfall has started transition piece workflow trials for the Nordlicht offshore wind project at CS Wind Offshore’s yard in Aalborg, Denmark, ahead of offshore construction.
The mock-up program is being used to rehearse key installation and working procedures onshore before field operations begin. The transition pieces built for Nordlicht I are about 23.7 m high and weigh about 362 tonnes.
The trials cover assembly work, bolting, cable pulling and cable routing. Safety and rescue procedures are also being tested in conditions intended to reflect offshore work as closely as possible. The program is aimed at improving workflows, interface management, and safety preparation before installation moves offshore.
Foundation installation for Nordlicht I is scheduled to start in July 2026. Nordlicht II is due to follow about one year later. DEME will install the monopiles and transition pieces at the project sites.
The monopiles will be supplied by EEW. They will be up to 80.5 m long and weigh up to 1,290 tonnes. Nordlicht I will have 68 monopiles and matching transition pieces for 68 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines. Nordlicht II will have 44 units.
The two wind farms are located 85 km north of Borkum Island in the German North Sea. Vattenfall said the projects are expected to be fully commissioned in 2028. Their combined installed capacity will be 1.6 GW and annual power generation is expected to reach about 6 TWh.
