RWE completes monopile installation at Thor offshore wind farm, paving way for Denmark’s largest renewable energy project

RWE completes monopile installation at Thor offshore wind farm, paving way for Denmark’s largest renewable energy project

(IN BRIEF) RWE has completed the installation of all 72 monopile foundations for the 1.1-gigawatt Thor offshore wind farm in Denmark, achieving the milestone within just five months. Located 22 kilometres off the Jutland coast, Thor is being jointly developed by RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management and will become Denmark’s largest offshore wind project once operational in 2027, supplying electricity to more than one million homes. The project incorporates several sustainable innovations, including reusable monopile covers, 36 low-carbon steel towers, and recyclable rotor blades on half of its turbines. Secondary steel structures are set to be installed later in 2025, with turbine installation scheduled from the Port of Esbjerg in 2026. Thor is also expected to deliver long-term local benefits, including 50 to 60 jobs at a new RWE service facility in Thorsminde. The project strengthens RWE’s position as a global leader in offshore wind alongside major projects underway in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 25-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has successfully completed the installation of all 72 monopile foundations for the 1.1-gigawatt (GW) Thor offshore wind farm, marking a decisive step forward in one of Europe’s most significant renewable energy projects. The work, carried out over just five months, underscores the project’s momentum toward becoming fully operational in 2027, when it will generate enough green electricity to supply more than one million Danish households.

Dr Tobias Keitel, Chief Technology Officer at RWE Offshore Wind, commented:
“Together with our partner, Norges Bank Investment Management, we are progressing well with the construction of Thor. Completing the monopile installation safely and efficiently reflects the expertise and dedication of everyone involved in this project.”

The monopiles, each measuring around 100 metres in length and weighing up to 1,500 tonnes, were transported from Eemshaven in the Netherlands to the Danish North Sea site, located 22 kilometres off the Jutland coast. Offshore installation was carried out by Jan De Nul’s heavy-lift vessel Les Alizés. Unlike traditional methods that use separate transition pieces, Thor employs extended single monopiles, with secondary steel structures such as boat landings to be added later this year. These works are being coordinated from the Danish Port of Thyborøn, where a dedicated control centre is also managing marine logistics.

As part of its sustainability strategy, RWE is deploying innovative reusable monopile covers to protect the structures until turbine towers are mounted in 2026. Normally discarded after one use, these covers have been designed for reuse, reducing waste and promoting circularity. The project will also feature 36 turbine steel towers manufactured with a lower carbon footprint and half of the turbines equipped with recyclable blades, reinforcing Thor’s role as a pioneer in sustainable offshore wind development.

Turbine installation will begin at the Port of Esbjerg in 2026. Once operational, Thor will not only supply renewable energy but also create long-term economic benefits, with 50 to 60 permanent jobs planned at a new RWE service facility under construction at the Port of Thorsminde.

Thor, a joint venture between RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%), is being developed with RWE overseeing construction and long-term operations. It will become Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm and a cornerstone of the country’s renewable energy transition.

With Thor, RWE continues to expand its global offshore wind portfolio. The company already operates 19 offshore wind farms worldwide, including Rødsand 2 in Denmark, and is currently advancing other large-scale projects such as Sofia in the UK (1.4 GW), Nordseecluster in Germany (1.6 GW, RWE share: 51%), and OranjeWind in the Netherlands (795 MW, RWE share: 50%).

Media Contact:

Sarah Knauber
Press Spokesperson
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH
M +49 (0) 162 25 444 89
E sarah.knauber@rwe.com

SOURCE: RWE